We are all familiar with the story. We have heard it year after year – the account of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well. Perhaps we should explore the question and ask ourselves whether it is only her story or perhaps it is ours as well.

Jesus comes to a town in Samaria – a place feared by Israelites. It had a reputation of being a dangerous place, and they would avoid it, taking the long way around it rather than journey through it. But Jesus seeks Samaria, entering the area and rests at a sacred site known as Jacob’s well – a place that holds the promise of refreshing cleansing water. Jesus sits down at the well and rests – and waits while the disciples go into town to buy food.

Jesus comes to us in those places, our Samarias, those places that fear holds as dangerous places for us to go such as places where reconciliation is needed or avoided or where relationships need repair. It is our inner place that we guard from others being able to see or touch, and we try to perhaps even guard it from God. It is the place where others feel they need to tiptoe around and not dare to bring up in our presence or the place we skirt rather than face within ourselves. We all have them to some degree. And so Lent is an opportunity to ask ourselves, where is my Samaria – different for each of us. Jesus comes and sits and waits by the well for the woman to approach. He sits at her level rather than standing authoritatively above her nor did he pelt her with rules – and he invited dialog. She could have left but decided to stay with the one who was leading her to the truth. Finally she was transformed and on fire and asks for the living water he offers her.

Jesus approaches us the same way through that little twinge of conscience that we can listen to or dismiss. He is thirsty and what is he really thirsting for? Jesus approached the Samaritan woman with a human need leading to her need beyond physical thirst. Jesus is thirsty for souls – thirsty to offer living water leading to eternal life. Jesus invited the Samaritan woman to a place of truthfulness, honesty and great freedom – and she accepted the invitation which opened her to receive the full revelation of who he was. He made it clear to her that he knew her life pattern which she acknowledged – and he knows ours. as well.

Some years ago I experienced something I will never forget. I was standing in line for confession in Medjugorje and there were two women visiting behind me who obviously knew each other. I overheard one say to the other, “I got something I haven’t confessed in 18 years. I guess this is the place to drop it.” This woman like the Samaritan woman, was coming to the well where she would findJesus waiting, sitting, ready to give her the water that would free her and lead her to eternal life.

I think it is the wisdom of the Church that this Gospel is situated in the middle of Lent with the invitation extended to us to go deeper – to dare to dialog with Jesus out of those places where we need his healing and love.

What areas of my life need to be addressed and healed?

What are my water jars?

What part of my personal life would I be most reluctant to have challenged?

Today is an invitation to sit by the well with the Samaritan woman to meet Jesus and have a conversation with him.

Jesus is the gift of love, forgiveness, compassion and healing