Pastor's Letter 20230312 - 12 March 2023 - Living Water

[Father Michael]

March 12^th, 2023

Third Sunday of Lent

Christ and the Samaritan woman

Henryk Semiradski (1890)—Gallery of Art, Kyiv, Ukraine

A Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme:  “Living Water”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Exodus 17:3-7)  In the Scriptures, thirst usually means more than the physical need for water.  At times, when we are hungry or thirsty, we grumble—perhaps because we are “too satisfied.”

Water figures prominently throughout the development of civilization.  Historically, settlements sprung up near flowing rivers, to provide sustenance and as means of transportation.  Symbolic of God’s power, creation was conceived as the Spirit (God’s breath: “pneuma,”) hovered over primordial waters.  Periodic deluges were understood as the purification of sinful humanity—think “Noah, and the Ark.”  The Chosen People’s formation as a people was an historical event called the Exodus, portrayed as a “watery passage” to freedom—think “the parting of the Red Sea.”  With water so precious a commodity, and with thirst a constant companion, these metaphors readily lent themselves to an understanding of Israel’s need for God.  Without God’s guidance, the wilderness would have become their tomb.  

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(Romans 5:1-8)  Complete satisfaction of all our thirsts and desires is found in the salvation affected by Jesus Christ.  The Joy, which the death of Jesus has bestowed upon us, should be seen on our faces, and in our lives.

^†Paul established the fact that justification has come through the redeeming power of God, in Jesus Christ.  When we are at peace with God, we have access to grace, and we can boast in joyful hope of sharing God’s glory.  When ^†Paul speaks in terms of the Holy Spirit and the incomprehensible love of God, it is obvious that he wishes us to understand God’s love as a living reality within the believer.  His joy is contagious as he describes these blessings of justification in terms of present realities: “…peace…in which we now stand.”  Liberated from sin and death, the Christian enjoys that freedom, here and now; in time and space; yet constantly moves toward the total freedom and complete perfection that will come with Christ, in Eternity.

~~~

(John 4:4-42)  In the “wellspring of eternal life,” our hope and faith in Jesus Christ will find rest and fulfillment.

In the fourth chapter of ^†John’s Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as the water of life—replacing the water that quenched the thirst of Judaism throughout the ages (Re: Torah—described the law as water, which purifies, slakes thirst and sustains life.)  In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are bathed and drink of that source of life.  

Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well speaks to both His willing association with ALL people, regardless of station, and to the symbolic importance of water in culture, but more so, “living water,” herein used as a metaphor for eternal life.  

Loved in Our Sins

One important and comforting theme running through all three of today’s readings—one that is the “heart” of the Good News—is that we are loved by God even as sinners.

The Creator didn’t “write off” the Chosen People during their Exodus from Egypt, in spite of their grumbling.  Rather, He provided water (and food) for them in the desert.  Similarly, ^†Paul says “What proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”  Then, in today’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus’ tender treatment of the woman at the well reinforced how He doesn’t insinuate Himself into anyone’s life.  In fact, He began from a position of “weakness,” asking her for a simple drink of water.  In this way He was disposed to receive it as a “gift” from her.  Opening His heart in this way, she was then inclined to open her heart to Him.

Jesus treats us with great respect—without hint of judgement nor condemnation.  His manner was one of acceptance and understanding.  (The holier a person is, the less likely they are to judge us.)  

Christ meets us “where we are.”  He knows our deepest thirst—that of the heart, which ultimately, only God can quench.  We find it difficult to admit our poverty, weakness and sins, preventing us from being receptive to the “gift of God.”  It doesn’t do much good to be loved for being “perfect.”  We need to be accepted and loved precisely as sinners.  Only the person who has experienced this kind of love can know what it is…and that it can give us surprising courage and energy.  It puts us “in touch” with our true nature—and offers us a kind of “homecoming.”  

Finding Our Own Well

We know how pathetic it can be when people become dependent on material “handouts.”  There is no development; no growth; only stagnation and, in all probability, regression, too.  Dependency has a corrosive effect, eroding pride and self-respect.  It’s often said people need a “hand-up,” not a “hand-out.”  People can also become spiritually dependent.

Most of us have been through years of education and spiritual formation of one kind or another, with many teachers and guides.  Our experiences provided us with “waters of knowledge”—drawn from others.  But we still thirst for more.  (If we were lucky to have teachers who helped us to find our own “well,” we are even further along, now.  Surely, one reasons, that should always be their chief concern—enabling us to become “independent learners.”) 

Many spiritual leaders fill others from their own “abundance.”  That is good, up to a point, and it can show people the riches that are available.  But it can easily result in making people dependent on the teacher, and content to live on spiritual “handouts.”  Such an approach can make people aware of their own emptiness.  Sadly, many are content to live like that.

Christ, on the other hand, makes us aware of our own desolation…but rather than leave it there, He shows us how to fill it, not from without, but from within.  How fortunate we are when we find our own inner well, lying hidden deeply within our own hearts!  (This is the realm of the Holy Spirit….)  Then we don’t have to be seeking here and there in search of spiritual nourishment.  We will have an unfailing source inside us.  But first, we must believe this well is really there….

Our inner spring is the life of God welling from inside us.  It’s a discovery of living water, from which we can drink and refresh ourselves—that “bubbles up,” and leads us into eternal life!

May God Richly Bless You!

"Sometimes, we're taken into troubled waters--not to drown, but to be cleansed...."

~~Anonymous~~

 

Come, Let us Sing II.docx

View a recording of today's Holy Mass, here:

 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by Father Michael