Jesus offers us something better

I just returned from a retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Paradise Valley, Arizona.  I have been going there over the years for a little “Spring Break;” a time to pray and refresh for Lent and Easter.  

In the Canticle of the Creatures, Saint Francis wrote, “All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious and pure.” The necessity of water is obvious.  We continue to pray for sufficient snow and rain in this unusual winter in Colorado. The Israelites complained to Moses because of their lack of water in the desert. The Samaritan woman in the Gospel comes to a well in the heat of day. 

Jesus was not going to let prejudice stop him from drinking water from a Samaritan's well — and he didn't even bring his own cup, so he would have to drink from the woman's!  But Jesus has another thirst - for the woman's salvation. And she recognizes that she is the one who is thirsty for faith and for a new life. Jesus meets her where she is, and the encounter is so powerful that she cannot wait to tell everyone about him. She experienced Jesus' love for her and his offer of something better than what she had. 

Jesus offers us something better as well:  a path to overcoming prejudice, a faith that does not need to point out another's sin in order to be holy, and a love for the love of the all-loving God!  Come and be refreshed here with Jesus!  Then, go and share this good news with someone else!  Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor