The Woman at the Well

A little over ten years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the site of Jacob’s Well. Considered to be the “most authentic site” in the Holy Land, it was at this well that Jacob not only drew water thousands of years ago, but also the same place where Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman in our Gospel. Two thousand years later, I stood next to this ancient site, drinking from the same well. It was a profound experience to be in such a holy and significant place. While there, we read the gospel about the Samaritan woman and contemplated Jesus’ words.

Jesus choosing to reveal his true identity to the Samaritan woman first really stood out to me. Samaritans were not liked by the Jews. When the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, the Israelites who were not exiled, intermarried with them. These people became known as the Samaritans. Although they claimed to stay true to the God of Moses, they created their own worship and laws. As a result, Jews did not interact with Samaritans. Why then would Jesus reveal his identity to this woman he’s never met, this woman who doesn’t even worship the Father according to the law? This woman who was a grave sinner according to the Jewish law?

This Gospel reveals that Jesus came to call everyone. Although he was here to fulfill the Old Testament and bring about Salvation for the Jewish people, he also was inviting everyone to the banquet, to drink this “life-giving water”. Salvation is not just for the Jews. This woman reminds us that Jesus reveals his divine identity to the sinners, to the lost, to those far from God. Jesus did this when he walked the earth and still does it today. He is reaching out to the atheist, agnostic or fallen away Christian. He is forgiving the sinner. Jesus is revealing himself to us. I pray that we can have the faith of the Samaritan woman who heard his words, believed, and followed him.