It is good for us to be here. As COVID-19 continues to upend our lives, leading to both our federal and state governments to declare a state of emergency, and our archdiocesan leaders to suspend all parish activities with the exception of celebrating the sacraments that are so central to our faith, it is good for us to be here. And, as we all watch with great concern the continuing roller coaster ride of the stock market and kick ourselves for not selling out when it had reached its highest point in history just a month ago, now wondering where the bloodletting will stop, it is a good time to realize who is in charge – that is, God – and to remember that he always takes care of us, even as he tests us. Remember, this isn’t a time when God has abandoned us; rather, it is a time when God can be most present to us, if only we pay attention.
And, as is so often the case, the readings of today’s Mass help us at this moment, offering us a choice: to rely on ourselves or on God, to be satisfied with the fleeting pleasures that this world can offer or to search for the eternal peace that turning to God promises. We can respond either like the ancient Israelites who refuse to put their trust in God and suffer – or like the woman at the well who comes to recognize God speaking to her through Jesus and even helps her fellow townsfolk to come to see that Jesus is the savior of the world who leads us to a place of everlasting peace.
In today’s first reading, we hear the ancient Israelites complain against Moses because of their thirst for water. But, as is usually the case, we need to know the background to really understand the message of today’s reading. You will recall that just last week we heard God call Abraham to leave his home land – his comfort zone – and trust in God as God leads Abraham to a land that he will show him, a land flowing with milk and honey – that is, a land where he will prosper. Abraham puts his trust in God and is led to Shechem where he, his son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob, live well as they continue to put their trust in God.
But then, Jacob’s sons become jealous of his last son, Joseph, and plot to kill him. One of them, Reuben, convinces them to spare his life and so, instead, they sell him into slavery. A famine hits the land and they are forced to go to Egypt where God, whose plan is fulfilled even through our sinful deeds, had ensured that Joseph would take care of them. And again, they live well as God cares for them. But, when a pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph, their faith in God is tested once again. Through Moses, they are led out of Egypt back to the land that God had first promised to Abraham – that land flowing with milk and honey.
But, as always, God tests their faith on their journey and, over and over again, they fail the test. Today’s reading – where we hear them grumble because they don’t have the abundance of water that they had become accustomed to in Egypt – is but one example of this lack of trust in God. If you read the rest of the story, you will see that, over and over again, they failed to trust in God and grumbled against him. We all want to live in the land flowing with milk and honey but that’s not to be found here – it’s to be found in heaven. Here on earth, God tests each of us, even as he did the ancient Israelites. Each of us needs to decide whether we will trust in God or try to find our heaven here on earth.
Our gospel reading offers us a glimpse into what happens if we choose to put our trust in God. And the lesson is taught with some surprising twists and turns. It begins innocently enough. Jesus is thirsty and so he stops at a well for a drink as his disciples go into town for food. But, this is no ordinary well; it is Jacob’s well. So, we immediately recall all of the history I just gave you in thumbnail sketch. This well speaks of the land flowing with milk and honey that God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob if only they put their trust in him. Jesus has not brought a bucket with him; he always travels light, because he puts his trust in his heavenly Father. So, he asks a woman, who has also come to the well for water, for a drink. But again, this is not just any woman; it is a Samaritan woman, despised by the Jews. Remember, Jesus is not only truly human – who is thirsty after a morning of walking through the desert – he is a Jew. And, as we learn, this woman is even an outcast among her own people because she has had several husbands and is currently living outside of wedlock. That’s why she has come to the well in the middle of the day; she isn’t welcome when everyone else comes, early in the morning while it is still cool.
Of course, Jesus knows all of this about this woman and despite it – or, perhaps, because of it – he seeks her out and leads her to recognize who he is – the spring of water that wells up to eternal life! This woman – a hated Samaritan – has the eyes of faith to recognize him for who he is – the Messiah – and rushes to tell the people of her town – the very ones who despise her as well – and they come to believe, first from her testimony and then as they listen to Jesus, who comes to stay with them.
Yes, it is good for us to be here and hear this lesson. As we continue to face more days of uncertainty when our faith is tested, we can either be like the ancient Israelites who complained against God because he didn’t give them what they wanted – instant gratification – or like the Samaritan woman who comes to recognize Jesus, the living water who offers us eternal life and then proclaims this good news to everyone she meets. What a perfect Lenten moment for us. Like the woman at the well, we have our sins that we need to lay at the feet of our Lord. And, like that woman, we can be assured that, if we turn to worship the one, true God and put our trust in him, he will lead us to the land of milk and honey – that is, heaven – when our life journey here on earth comes to an end. In the meantime, let us come to be nourished by our Lord with his life-giving Body and Blood and then live as St. Paul encourages us in today’s second reading, in the peace that comes to us only through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who died for us sinners so that we can look forward to standing for all eternity before the glory of God. Yes, it is good for us to be here.