The beginning of today’s gospel reading includes the last moments of Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. We’ve skipped over all the extraordinary content of the conversation, but the brief scene in today’s gospel tells us some remarkable things about Jesus without saying a word.
In the past few weeks, I’ve met with people who, when they try to take a step toward mercy and help, find their way blocked. In some cases, the church itself, and me personally, have been experienced as barriers to that mercy and help. Sometimes, particular communities and individuals are very powerful conduits of the merciful embrace and gracious help of Jesus. But at other times, we find ourselves blocking the way between the powerful work of Jesus and the profound needs of people.
Today is when we can open and soften our hearts, and keep them from closing off. Today is when the people around us can feel the compassionate difference we make in the world, even if they can’t see us at work.
We forget that we’ve eaten our fill thanks in part to whole systems of undercompensated labor, generations of agricultural advances, and the blessings of fertile soil and favorable climates. We forget that we have shelter thanks in part to government subsidies and home mortgages that have historically favored some racial groups over others.
Imagine if that were the priority of Christians everywhere: the pursuit of real freedom from all the substances, stereotypes, and systems that enslave us. Imagine if it weren’t acceptable to plead that we were simply “unable” to recognize the signs that someone in our sphere of responsibility, or merely in our midst, was enslaved in the ways that the Scripture warns us about. Imagine if we couldn’t claim that we simply didn’t have the right information, or that our processes were faulty.
Our faith is challenged by a God who turns out to be more compassionate than we realized.
There’s an interesting theory about today’s gospel reading. Quite possibly, the author of John’s gospel crafted this passage by adding theological commentary and narrative material to what was originally a poem or hymn text familiar to Christians in his community.
…don’t turn your focus toward identifying and naming other people’s misbehaviors. Instead, simply continue in what you have learned about walking the way of goodness and trust.
Week of Epiphany 5, Year One [Go to Mission St Clare for an online version of the Daily Office including today’s scripture readings.] Today’s Readings for
These early disciples simply persisted in following Jesus without predicting, let alone controlling, the outcomes of Jesus’ life and ministry. As we follow him today, let’s worry less about the predictions that help us feel in control, and instead allow Jesus to accompany us in our confusion and uncertainty.