During Lent I like to reflect on the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Christ used the “encounter” to reveal more of himself to her, a sinner and outcast, than He had yet shown to His disciples. She immediately acknowledged Christ to be a prophet and the Messiah. This is amazing but her action afterward is inspirational.
She hurried back to her community telling everyone about Jesus. Her witnessing was so powerful and converted so many to the Christian faith that it drew the attention of the Roman Emperor Nero. Ironically, when she refused to deny her faith, she was killed by being thrown down a dry well. Her name is not certain but in Eastern Orthodox Catholic religions, she is known as Photine meaning “the luminous one” and is remembered four weeks after Pascha, known as “the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman”.
Amazing work, in a hostile environment, by one thought to be “inferior”. Her story reminds me of important truths: God aways sees us not as we are but as what we can become. He seeks the “unlikely’, even me, to accomplish His work. All past is truly forgiven. When the heart’s deepest desire is to follow Him, He will supply all the strength and courage needed to complete His work in the world. Thanks be to God.
(c) 2018 Verlene Springer
