Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel passage from John 4, we hear the story of Jesus encountering a Samaritan woman at a well. This encounter is significant for several reasons, but one of the most important is that it shows us how Jesus breaks down barriers and welcomes all people into his love and offers salvation.

First, let us consider the context of this encounter. Jesus, a Jewish man, meets a Samaritan woman, a member of a group that was looked down upon and despised by many Jews. In addition, Jesus is alone with a woman, which was not a socially acceptable situation for a Jewish man to be in. Yet despite these barriers, our Lord engages the woman in conversation and treats her with respect and dignity.

As their conversation progresses, Jesus reveals to the woman that He is the Messiah. This is a significant moment, as it shows that Jesus is not only willing to engage with people from all walks of life, but He also offers them the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life. The woman, in turn, responds to Jesus with faith and becomes a witness to her fellow Samaritans, telling them about the Man who knew everything about her and who could be the Messiah.

Brothers and sisters, this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman teaches us several important lessons. First, it reminds us that Jesus welcomes all people into His loving arms, regardless of their background or social status. As followers of Christ, we too are called to welcome and love all people, even those who are different from us.

Second, this encounter shows us the power of personal testimony in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. The woman at the well became a witness to her fellow Samaritans, and through her testimony, many of them came to believe in Christ. We too are called to be witnesses to the love and mercy of God, sharing our own personal experiences of faith with others and inviting them to encounter Jesus for themselves.

Third, this encounter teaches us about the transformative power of encountering Jesus. The Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus changed her life, and she in turn changed the lives of many others. When we encounter Jesus in a personal way, our lives too are transformed, and we are called to share that transformation with others.

Another important lesson we can learn from this passage is the nature of true worship. In the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, the topic of worship is addressed. The woman asks Jesus about the proper place to worship, as Samaritans believed that the proper place was on Mount Gerizim, while Jews believed it was in Jerusalem. However, Jesus tells her that true worship is not about the place, but about the heart. He says, “God is Spirit. And so, those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). In other words, although true worship may properly exist with outward rituals, the inward disposition of the heart is most important. As Catholics, we have many beautiful and meaningful liturgical traditions and practices that help us to worship God. But we must always remember that these practices are only meaningful if they are done with a sincere and humble heart, one that is open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, this passage also teaches us about the nature of evangelisation. As Christians, we are called to be evangelisers, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with all those we encounter. This can sometimes feel daunting, especially in a world that is often hostile to the message of the Gospel. But we must remember that our task is not to convert people with force, clever arguments or persuasive rhetoric but to simply bear witness to the love of Christ and invite others to encounter him for themselves.

May we always be willing to break down barriers, welcome all people to the love and mercy of God, and bear witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit guide us in our efforts to spread the Good News, and may we always be faithful disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God bless you +

Fr. Charles