Meeting God at the Well 

                                                                 JN 4: 5-42

I recently crossed paths with a young man & we began a discussion each week.  For the sake of anonymity & this reflection, I will call him Rashid.  The name Rashid translates into “rightly guided.”  You will soon see why I selected this pseudo-name. When I first met Rashid, he was going through a difficulty time & shared with me the mess he had made of his life.  As he spoke, it was apparent that he was overcome with a sense of deep shame. 

He told me that some of his relationships were unhealthy. Many times, the things he did with these relationships  were far from appropriate. And some of his personal choices resulted in disaster.  Sound familiar? 

In one of our conversations, the topic of God arose.  Unlike many others his age, Rashid’s was surprisingly receptive to this talk.  His face lit up, as he proudly described his parents steadfast faith & devotion to their Muslim faith.   After a few weeks of speaking with him, Rashid informed me that he was traveling overseas with his parents to make a Hajj.  A Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  For the Muslim, they are asked to make it once in their lifetime; similar to Christians who are also encouraged to make a religious pilgrimage during their lives.   

Upon returning from his trip, Rashid appeared filled with joy as he shared his experience while on Hajj.  (1 Sam. 10:6)  His delight was uplifting.  It was refreshing to hear this young man enthusiastically describe his recent conversion. (1 Sam. 10:6)  So why tie this story into this Gospel?  The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well & was converted, as did Rashid meet our loving God while on Hajj & return a changed person.  (Jer. 4:1)

Rashid’s story is not uncommon.  His is like many others, including mine.  His parent’s faith and their love of our almighty God won out.  I have no doubt that Rashid met God at the well.  It was evident that he was receptive to the Lord’s invitation to provide him with living water & he drank.  Yes, Jesus is the master of metaphor and uses water in this reading to describe a new life in God.  And we know that without both types of water; we will perish.  Are you, like me at times,  discriminatory and judgmental when confronted with someone who does not fit my definition of who is deserving & who is not?  

Behavioral & attitudinal responses such as these only serve to block our sharing of the living water with others & to move closer to our Lord.  Dear reader, I pray you will meet God at the well & allow Him to quench your thirst.   “Let us continue to learn how to put love into action.”  The Pilgrim.  3/15/20