Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-2;5-8
John 4:5-42
If Only
“Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.” “…and out of his wounded side flowed blood and water.” If only the woman would realize who it was who was asking her for a drink… If only the Chosen People would not grumble against God… If only I would not harden my heart when asked to do some simple act of trust… If only…
It seems to me there are two choices before me, surrender completely or keep on fighting. I have fought for so long, it almost seems like I’d miss the action. Perhaps, that’s why I hold on to false illusions. The only choice that gives me hope is to trust with abandon this stranger at the well who dares to ask ME for a drink.
Water . . . the blessing and necessity of water! Water is at the center of all of our lives . . . more precious than gold . . . there is veritably no life without water.
In Exodus the lack of water, in the psalm a reminder not to act like our ancestors, who in the face of hardhsip want to go back to Egypt, but instead, like the woman at the well, find that fountain of living water leaping up within us . . . the waters of baptism . Like the Samaritan woman, who left her jar and spread the Good News, we leave behind our emptiness and go forth with the fullness of the Spirit and proclaim the Gospel that is welling within us.