There is nothing more uplifting than having a good conversation with someone where you feel accepted, appreciated, and loved. In the context of revelation, biblical human conversation with God reveals itself to be always important and crucial for our lives. Both the New and Old Testaments seem to prove the truthfulness of that. The first reading from the book of Exodus shows a very distinctive conversation among the people of Israel, Moses, and God—a conversation painted with scenes of temptation and complaint, but where God ultimately shows his compassionate love and mercy. Another conversation is from the Gospel; it is between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, who at last finds peace in her life. How does the conversation with God shape our lives?
This Samaritan woman in the Gospel seems to be engaged, open, and in some ways curious and committed. Many acknowledge that this narrative from the Gospel of Saint John is an extraordinary scene where John describes the mystery of the gift of God presented under the symbol of water. As usual, the initiative to begin the conversation comes from Jesus. He asked the woman for some water, a conversation that was not seen as appropriate by the woman due to the long-standing conflicts between Jews and Samaritans. Her response carries the weight of frustration, hatred, and discrimination. However, she remains committed to learning more about this stranger who is destined to change her completely.
The character of their conversation was deeply respectful. Jesus began by asking for water just to enable him to speak symbolically about Himself later as the living water that provides eternal life. Jesus scrutinizes the heart of the woman; he knows her thirst for happiness, something she was searching for through many different realities. He tells her implicitly that, despite the tragedies and pain she carries, her life is not a failure. Not once did Jesus blame her; instead, he trusted her with two major revelations: the true nature of God as Spirit, and His own identity as the Messiah. “I am He,” Jesus tells her, “the one who is speaking with you.”
What a transformation for this woman—a spring of living water overflowing upon her! This woman, who had been looking elsewhere for happiness, finally found the Source that saves. Today, my brothers and sisters, this unnamed woman is you. She represents each of us searching for answers in our lives, and Jesus, once again, is telling us that He is the answer.
