This past Sunday, we heard the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, one of my favorites.
You know how it goes.
Jesus asked a woman for a drink from Jacob's well and she is shocked by His willingness to speak to her, as Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. After telling her all He knew of her past, He reveals His true identity as the Messiah. The woman is so changed by their exchange that she runs into the village to share the news of he Savior's presence, regardless of the fact that the villagers had shunned her for her previous sins.
I have always identified with the Samaritan woman. Like her, I am a lazy sinner who would rather hide away in self-preservation than to face my sins head-on. It's just easier to go to the well at midday and avoid others' judgment.
And like the Samaritan woman, Jesus meets me where I am. He speaks to me kindly, even when I have avoided him for days. He shares what he knows of my past and still calls me His beloved. He charges my soul and gives me strength and courage to spread His name to others.
Jesus knows me, all of my failures, doubts, and weaknesses. He knows my sins and He knows that I'm going to continue to sin. Yet still, with all of this knowledge of my humanity, Jesus still chose a crown of thorns and a death on a cross.
For me, for all of us.
St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:
For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:6-8
The story of the Samaritan woman teaches us that, though the world will treat you like an outcast, Jesus will love you as the precious child of God that you are. Let's follow the example of the woman and learn from our past and be #grateful to the Father who loves us.