Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: March 19, 2017
As Lent continues, the Bible readings we proclaim, especially on Sundays, always direct our thoughts to some important element of our spiritual life. The Gospels in particular provide not just interesting stories of Jesus’ interaction with His contemporaries, but also insights for us, who interact with Him in faith today.
Take this weekend, with its recounting of the famous scene of “Jesus with the Samaritan Woman at the Well” (Jn 4:5-42). Although long, it’s a particularly beloved passage for most everyone. And a quick glance at why this is so provides some real reassurance to us.
First of all, I notice in v. 7 how the woman is naturally surprised that Jesus would speak to her, since Jews and Samaritans back then were extremely prejudiced against each other. But that’s the way it is between God and us human beings: He always takes the initiative. Even if we think we’re “in charge of” our own spiritual life, in reality He is the one who reaches out to us, and even plants the seeds of interest in Him into our own hearts.
That Samaritan woman also was well aware of her, umm, shall we say “active social life” with at least six boyfriends. And so was Jesus! Yet notice how in vv. 17-18 He does not condemn her. He points out the less-than-perfect situation with an understated – in fact, almost humorous – remark, for He didn’t wish to drive her away. Rather, He wished to so intrigue her that she would continue to dialogue with Him.
The content of their conversation, and all of its mentions of “living water,” and “worship,” and “Spirit and truth,” were a gentle invitation to her by the Lord. He proposed that she enrich her life with so much more than what her daily toil and empty relationships had given her up ‘til that moment. In fact, by the witness of her talking about it, that invitation went out to her whole village.
I think everybody would agree that each of us “wants more out of life.” And not primarily temporary or harmful things. Christ Jesus makes the same invitation to us, to find in Him the answers to our hearts’ desires. Whatever our ethnicity, we resemble the Samaritan woman, and rather than condemning us for our sins He reaches out to us with a loving invitation.
A good time to reflect on how good the Lord is our Lenten Wednesday Holy Hour from 5 to 6 pm here at the Cathedral. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration the whole time, and we conclude with Benediction. Confessions are also available during this time as well. See you here!
Sincerely in the Lord,
Father Paul
