Breaking the Word

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." (The woman) said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."…

 "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." (Jn 4:5-42)

Any devout Jewish man, at the time of Jesus, would not have allowed himself to be alone with a woman. He would not entertain a conversation with a woman. The risk would be very high. Yet Jesus is talking to a woman. This woman is a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews were always in war especially after the return from exile in Babylon. The Jews would not have anything to do with the Samaritans, especially they would not share eating and drinking. Here Jesus is asking for water from her. This particular woman was of bad character. She was coming to the well at a time when no one would be around. (To avoid meeting people or seen by people). Jesus was there right at that time of her coming.

Anyone seeing Jesus talking to a woman, a Samaritan woman, and a woman of bad character would think differently of Jesus. But Jesus was talking about living water. This water was to give new life to the one who drinks. The new life that Jesus was talking about was eternal life. The woman did not understand what Jesus was meaning about the water. Jesus always made use of the context (here the well and water) to speak of the kingdom and values of the kingdom.

When the woman realized that he was a prophet, she immediately changed the topic of discussion from about her to religious theme: worship. She brought out the debate about the place of worship: Mount Zion or Mount Gerizim. Jesus again explained beautifully the point in discussion by saying worship was not limited by place or space. Worship of God should be in truth and spirit because God himself is spirit. This revealed that Jesus was the Messiah who was to come.    

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable.

Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation…

because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing…

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'" (Lk 15:1-3,11-32)

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and the Scribes. Pharisees and the Scribes were pious and righteous and they thought the tax collectors and sinners were condemned by God. They were surprised and in fact they were shocked to see Jesus associating with the sinners. The Pharisees thought that Jesus was a good man (in a religious sense) and hence they did not expect him to relate to sinners. Jesus explains his position though this parable.

In any society there would always be these two types of people. There would be those who are loyal, hard-working, spending less, but self righteous and condemning others. There would be those who run away, spending more than they earn or have, enjoying, but feeling sorry when they have reached the rock bottom, wanting to come back, and not seeking any advantages. These two types would always co-exist.

The attitude of the Father is the central theme for reflection in this story. The father is waiting for the return of the runaway, welcomes him as soon as he retunes, arranges for the celebration, and pleads for him with the other and puts him back into the original relationship. Jesus takes up this model not only for his preaching (parables) but also for his practice. His attitude towards the sinners was same as that of the Father.