3rd Sunday in Lent -A- Jn 4, 5-42

Many people ask me if I can work happily in a foreign country with an unfamiliar culture, language and weather and life situations.
I always answer them with pleasure that I feel very well here.
For I have found many people who like meand accept me, as I am.
And I know that this is not of course and certain experience for all and for that I am grateful.

To be foreign and still be recognized -
today's Gospel can give some insights on this matter.
What Jesus is doing is totally unacceptable to a traditional orthodox Jew.
For a Jew it was forbidden to talk to a woman in public.
Jesus, a Jew speaks with a woman and she is a Samaritan too.
That's even worse, because Jews and Samaritans hated each other,
so they lived in hostility.

Jesus asked this woman for water because he was thirsty.
But in fact the conversation was not only about the water.
Jesus begins a new chapter.
It is new chapter in the history of the Samaritan woman as well as in the history of the love of enemies.

The Samaritan woman was certainly not a ' good' woman. Because she had 5 men and now she lives with the 6th one, which may also be changed soon.
But Jesus speaks with her without any prejudice.
He finds that this woman has 'thirst' for life.
She does not feel accepted and recognized.
She lacks the real love.
Thus she hovers between relationships which are not quenching her thirst.

Jesus recognizes her 'need'.
Jesus sees a suffering, lonely and helpless woman before him,
while others watch her as a sinner.
This shows Jesus was a good pastor.


It is very much interesting that he does not condemn her.
He also does not say that she is a sinner.
No, he only talks about their thirst.
He talks about the 'Source' that can quench every thirst.
And slowly Jesus turns the subject from 'water' and to 'worship'.
He talks about a 'new' method of worship (also unacceptable to Jews) -
in spirit and in truth and awakens the interest in this woman.

We listen here a long conversation (perhaps the longest conversation of Jesus with a single person in the Gospel). A woman who avoided Jesus at the beginning, is now talking about her personal life and more.
She recognizes in Jesus a special Rabbi, who knows even the secrets her life.
So she listens to him and slowly opens her heart.
And Jesus speaks to 'her heart'.

The Gospel ends positively, because the woman spread the word about the new prophet in her place.
Yes, Jesus can transform a 'sinner' to the 'Messenger' of God.
And even a Gentile or a woman can Proclaim God...
The people who came to Jesus believes in him,
“for we have heard for ourselves” and they proclaim,
“this is truly the savior of the world“.

We see in the Gospel, how a brief conversation, a bit willingness of acceptance and a gesture of mercy gives new hope for the people;
how the barriers of hostility can be broken;
how the Gospel can make friends out of enemies.
Yes, this openness of Jesus brings new life to the Samaritan woman
and for many others in Samaria. The Good News can now grow here.

My dear ones,
Lent is the time to review our dealings with others. Do I show openness for my fellow man? Or I see them as sinners and untouchables? Do I show mercy and give them time, attention and a little care?
Yes, with these - Time, love, acceptance and compassion, we can change our world. May the merciful God bless us all in this lenten time. Amen !

--Thomas Kalathil3rd Sunday in Lent -A- Jn 4, 5-42