Jesus “sees” the woman and her life fully; he reveals inner truths to her that convince her that he is a prophet. When she runs home to the townspeople, she shares her newly discovered faith: “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could He possibly be the Christ?”
Their initial curiosity turns into a convinced faith after they meet the Lord. Their own words will finally reveal their conviction: “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”
Is this not the journey of every Christian? Do we not have to have an experience of Jesus Christ that goes beyond liking or loving his words, his teachings, his way of life?
The woman of Samaria represents something “inside” each of us.
When we begin to recognize God’s love for us — that accepts us as we are with all of the good and bad choices we have made — then we begin to know her experience.
When “who we are” is more than “what we have done” — or “not done” with our lives — we begin to appreciate this woman’s testimony.
Jesus shows to the Samaritan women his understanding of her life. She experiences “being known,” “being accepted.”
Today, our catechumens take a good look at their lives; they open up their lives fully to the Lord as they “admit” their sins and obstacles, to a full commitment of faith.
This scrutiny allows them to be like the woman at the well; they need to know that Jesus, indeed, tells them everything about their lives and still loves them, still accepts them.
They need an experience of the savior of the world that is personal, intimate and real. This is what turns an admiration for a faith into a fully lived and transforming faith.
We are all “that woman at the well.” This is what makes true disciples.
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
