Having begun our Lenten journey with Jesus in the desert and then up to the mountain top for the Transfiguration last week, this week we follow him down to the plain on a hot, dusty day as he walks through Samaria. Tired by the journey in the midday heat, Jesus sits down by himself at a well while the disciples head off into the nearby town to see if they can find some food. At this moment a local Samaritan woman appears, also by herself, and is surprised to find this Jewish man at the well. The conversation which follows will change her life for ever.

She has come to the well as a broken and lonely woman, anxious to avoid the other woman of the town who draw their water earlier in the day. She is happy to stay in the shallow water but Jesus leads her out into the deep. “You have no bucket” she jokes – “Yes, and you have no husband” Jesus replies. Suddenly all her defences crumble, all the masks she has been wearing day after day for so long… “Yes, I have no husband” she replies humbly. Her life is in a mess. She has suffered the pain of the break-up of five marriages. Her present partner is no husband either – just a live-in boyfriend around for who knows how long before he too leaves her. Deeply hurt inside, she has lost faith in others, in herself and in love itself. How many times must she have heard the words, “I love you” only for that love to betray her, to turn around and walk out the door.

By accepting the truth, by allowing Jesus to restore her dignity & hope, to rekindle her ability to love and be loved, she is transformed. And what’s more, through her Jesus transforms others. She leaves her water jar behind and runs back to her town so as to bring to Jesus the very people who have rejected her. She shows us how God can change our bad news into his Good News! It can be through the mess and brokenness of our lives that God can touch and transform us and others. This is the invitation of Lent – to conversion and new life. In what ways do our lives echo the Samaritan woman – what masks do we wear, what are the causes of sadness in our hearts? Heal us, Lord, and give us your living water!


With blessings & prayers from Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
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