Relationships that eclipse all barriers

On this third Sunday of Lent, we hear a familiar story from Exodus. The people’s complaint of their thirst in the wilderness is resolved by God instructing Moses to bring forth water from the rock. This focus upon water forms a thematic prelude to our Gospel story from John, which is also about water, well water first and then living water. In the heat of the mid-day sun, and after the disciples have left to find food, Jesus sits down by a well in Sychar, a Samaritan village. A woman from that area has come to draw water. Contrary all social and cultural norms, Jesus, a Jew, speaks to this anonymous Samaritan woman and asks her for a drink. The author of the story parenthetically makes clear the inappropriateness of this encounter, writing “Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans” (Jn 4:9). Yet, it is worth noting that Jesus, who often acts contrary to cultural norms that tend to divide people, asks her for something she can provide. 

Next, a series of impersonal exchanges take place between the two of them about Jesus’ lack of a bucket, about the surprising nature of his request, and about their ancestor Jacob. Then Jesus claims to have access to living water. Now, the woman immediately asks Jesus for something he can provide, namely, living water. Oddly, he replies by asking the woman to go call her husband. Without hesitation, she reports that she has no husband. Then Jesus reveals what he knows about her multiple husbands. Yet, instead of judging or condemning her, Jesus acknowledges that she has spoken the truth and continues their conversation, now on an even deeper and more personal level. 

It is worth noting that despite all the reasons they each might have for not wanting to pay attention to one another, an openness, a trust and an honesty seem to be developing between Jesus and the woman. The woman has an easiness about her and a bold kind of curiosity about Jesus, neither of which is typical for a woman alone in public at that time. And Jesus seems to be taken by her interest, her questions, her recognition that he is a prophet. As their conversation continues, they speak about their differences regarding worship and about God. Then Jesus talks about a time that is coming when true worshipers will be less focused upon where to worship. Rather, they will worship God as Father in spirit and truth. Immediately, the woman makes a connection with something about which she is aware. She says, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything” (Jn 4:25). As if hearing what she says as an invitation, Jesus reveals for the first time in this Gospel, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you” (Jn 4:26). The anonymous Samaritan woman receives the gift of a revelation that Jesus had perhaps longed to make for some time.  

This account challenges us in one of the most fundamental ways we are called to be Christ-like in our lives. These two persons have become to one another living water, a substance Jesus spoke about that is forever life-giving. It happens when we are willing to cross barriers and surrender uncertainties or unfounded fears regarding another. Such living water actualizes itself in the mind-boggling intricacies of deep honest human encounters, no matter who these individuals are or what are the differences between them and ourselves. Further, that life-sustaining water increases when one person in need reaches out to another human, who may respond out of their own complex or unacknowledged need. In the process, not only are unimaginable barriers dismantled, but we encounter the mystery of profound human relatedness, the very essence of a Christ-like life. 

When the story continues, the disciples return and an encounter that was so whole, so simple, so truthful between the woman and Jesus breaks off and the woman immediately departs. The Gospel writer evidently understood the large significance of a seemingly small incidental detail, writing, “The woman left her water jar and went into the town . . .”  (Jn 4:28). It is as if she has been refreshed or renewed with the living water of this encounter with Jesus. When the disciples offer Jesus food, he replies, “I have food to eat of which you do not know” (Jn 4:32). He, too, has been nourished by this relationship with the Samaritan woman. Their willingness to be truthfully who they are to one another was life-giving in ways that transcended all societal barriers and cultural dictums while, at the same time, addressing each other’s needs. 

In his letter to the Romans today, Paul reminds us that “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (Rom 5:5). Filled with divine love, and made in the divine image, we all are created for relationships. It is how we attend to one another’s needs. It is how we exercise our greatest human capacity—to love one another.