OUR POSSIBILITIES FOR DOING GOOD ARE LIMITLESS
(A biblical refection on THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT [YEAR A], 23 March 2014)
First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7; Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2,5-8; Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42
In Wyoming, there is an inspiring natural phenomenon – a tree growing out of a solid rock. A plaque explains its history. “The original line of the Union Pacific Railroad passed within a few feet of this point, and supposedly was deflected slightly to avoid destruction of this tree. The fireman of each passing train never failed to drench the tree with a bucket of water.”
How many people are there who, like that struggling tree, would have withered and died if it had not been for the care that others have freely bestowed upon them?
The popular caption, “Bloom where you are planted,” is not as easy as it sounds. Our roots are very different and some environments encourage the fullness of life, while others stifle it. Those who live in blindness, in abject poverty, in wheelchairs, in sickness and in a thousand other harsh and hostile situations, cannot bloom or even survive without the generous help of other caring people.
The strong, rich and healthy also often stand in need of assistance and ministry. To some degree, everybody does. Even Jesus, the most self-sufficient Person ever to walk this earth, in today’s Gospel asks for a bucket of water from an unknown Samaritan woman. Warmed by the noonday sun, both Savior and sinner sit on the edge of Jacob’s Well, discussing their past journeys and sharing a brief glance into the future. The God of the Universe is momentarily in the role of recipient. In exchange for the kindness of this woman, He promises her the living waters of eternal life. The modern-day pilgrim to the Holy Land can still visit this sacred well, view its 90 foot depth, sample its soft water and feel spiritually uplifted.
If we consider ourselves too insignificant or unworthy to assist other people, we are totally wrong. Our possibilities for doing good are limitless. If the Samaritan woman – a five time divorce – could minister to Jesus, we certainly can minister to each other in His name.
If God can bring water out of a rock, as in today’s first reading, He surely can give even better gifts to us, if we only allow Him to do so.
A fitting Lenten project might be to discover someone who is having a hard time in life. In a spirit of genuine love, bring that person a few extra buckets of water.
Source: Rev. James McKarns, GO TELL EVERYONE, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1985, pages 19-20.