The Woman at the Well
The Gospel reading of 2/24/08 has the story of the Samaritan woman at the well discussing theology with Jesus. She was taught that the way Samaritans practiced their religion was superior to that of the Jews.
In one point she confessed her belief that a Messiah will come to save the world. At this point Jesus admitted that He was the Savior. Now I don't recall anywhere in the Bible that actually admits to anyone else that He was the Christ. Even with the Apostles, He always extracted the answer from them rather than state that He was the One.
It's interesting that Jesus actually admits He's the Messiah to a Samaritan (who are impure for a Jew), woman (who 2000 years ago were inferior to men) and a promiscuous one at that (doubly, triply impure)! Why was Jesus always reluctant to inform the Jews that He was Christ, but had no qualms saying so to an inferior race?
I think what Jesus was pointing out to us was that He came for everyone and not just the Jews. The early Church needed to hold a Council to settle the issue of whether Gentiles were worthy of being members of the New Covenant.
Secondly, Jesus, opens Himself up to those who think they are outcasts of society and have no illusions of grandeur. This is the trick to getting God into our life in order to transform us. Arrogance is one sure way to drive God far away.
Perfect lesson during Lent.
I did not know that, AWESOME. I was just discussing w/ my daughters the other day about this Sunday’s reading. As were driving home, there was a homeless man pushing a shopping cart and I asked my oldest (11) what she thought about him and she said he was indeed, a weirdo. She had seen him pushing his cart around the outskirts of her school. But then I asked her, what would Jesus do today w/ this man. Would he not stop him and ask him about his aluminum cans? Would he not tell him about a metal so precious that not all the cans in the world would be of equal value?
She agreed he would approach him, sit w/ him, and maybe even go w/ him to the Recycling Center. This Lent season, let us reach out to someone who is unlovable, untouchable–someone w/ AIDS, homeless, or drug user, maybe in prison and give them the embrace of our LORD.
rob