If you knew the gift of God…

The women of Sychar would gather together in the early morning when the day was at it coolest to draw the water they needed for that day. Much like today, they would gather around the well and exchange the latest gossip. The Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well came at noon when the sun was at its highest in the sky. She did so because no one would be drawing water at that time. She wouldn’t have to endure hearing the whispers and the giggles, and the looks of contempt of the other women gossiping about her. She was the one everyone in town talked about. She was the one who couldn’t keep a husband; someone living in a sinful relationship. She was the woman everyone looked to, to make themselves feel better about themselves. She was the town’s pariah.

The Jews looked down on the Samaritans just as the town looked down on this woman. Imagine her surprise when a Jew, the rabbi the whole area was abuzz about, asked her for a drink of her water. It would have been unheard of. He calls her out for her life choices and then reveals to her that he is the messiah they have long waited for. She returns to the town in haste and tells all the town’s people what had just happened. Many believed what she had told them. Others rushed out to see if her story was true. Many more came to believe after hearing Jesus speak for themselves.

Today we gather around the table of the Lord as the women gathered at the well. Are we gossiping like the women did? Who are we keeping away by our gossip? Who does not feel welcome in our community? We gather together today to worship our God. The Catholic Mass is the highest form of worship we have. The Mass acts as a conduit between space and time that makes the crucifixion at Calvary truly present to us here and now. It is not just a reenactment of the crucifixion, but the actual crucifixion itself. During our worship Jesus comes to us and offers us something much greater than living water. He offers us himself; body, blood, soul, and divinity. This is the greatest gift we could ever receive. When Jesus lives within us death has no hold over us. Whoever eats his body and drinks his blood has eternal life within them. Yet, many who worship with us today do not understand this or no longer believe it is true.

How will you react when our Mass is complete? Will you rush out into the world and tell everyone about the miracle you were just part of like the woman at the well did or will you go about your day as if nothing important has happened? Do you live your life in such a way that leads others to Jesus? The woman at the well brought many Samaritans into a right relationship with Jesus. How many people have you brought to the church?

The Mass ends with the deacon’s simple dismissal, “Go forth, the Mass has ended.” You are being sent out on mission to take the gift that you have received and share him with the world. Love grows where love is shared and the gift you have received from Christ is meant to be shared with the world. Go forth and joyously share the precious gift you have received with all you meet today.