Divine Encounter

Have you been waiting for the right opportunity to express the love of Jesus in word and deed to your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers? Would you be willing to offer them a life-transforming drink of "living water" during this Lenten season?

One of my favorite spots to visit when in the Holy Land is Jacobs Well, where our Lord Jesus Christ encountered a Samaritan woman whom he asked to give him a drink. This was an unexpected encounter. Jews did not speak to Samaritans, whom they considered to be half-breeds. In fact, they kept a distance from Samaritans by avoiding the region of Samaria altogether. Likewise, the Samaritans avoided Jews.

Instead of avoiding the Samaritan women, Jesus seized the opportunity to begin a conversation with her when she came to draw water that prepared the way for her community to encounter Jesus! This divine encounter, described in John 4, provides us with practical insights for how to reach out to our neighbors during this season of change taking place due to concerns about the Coronavirus.

This Sunday, we'll take a look at what we can learn from the divine encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan women! Our worship celebration will include a St. Patrick dinner buffet (please bring your favorite Irish main dish plus a vegetable, salad, or dessert to share). See you Sunday!

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Dean F. Schultz - Christ the Redeemer Church in Springfield, VA