Today we hear of the Samaritan "woman at the well" that: "Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city." (Jn 4: 28) In the context of the whole passage it is clear that "water", "well" and other elements in the conversation are not to be taken at literal/face value. What does the "water jar" and "well" mean for the woman? She has been returning to the well time and time again and yet she is still thirsty. After encountering Jesus she is freed from this need and as a result no longer needs the water jar. For all of us there remains what is the "well" and the "water jar" for us? Is it alcohol, personal repute, buying shoes, sex, etc such that we continuous return to a behaviour and are never satisfied? Lent is an opportunity to encounter Jesus anew so that we can be empowered to leave behind bad habits and even addictions. If people see the power of God at work in us then they will be open to experience for themselves. Then they can say to us in turn: "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world." (Jn 4: 42) I recommend to parishioners that, for a fuller reflection, they go to that given by Bishop Robert Barron of Youtube speaking on The Woman at the Well during the Year of Mercy.
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