|
|
|
The Samaritan Woman Ocala 2007 “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water, that I shall give him, shall never thirst; the water, that I shall give him, shall become in him a well of water, springing up to Eternal Life. John 4:13-14 That was the Lord’s answer to the Samaritan Woman, who came to Jacob’s well to draw water. When He told her of the water, which would forever quench her spiritual thirst, she didn’t comprehend His teaching, and begged Him to give her of the water He mentioned, so that she could avoid the daily trips to the well to cart the heavy water. It so happened, that while His Disciples went into the City to buy food, Jesus, weary from a long journey and the heat, came and sat near the famous Jacob’s well. In a few moments, a woman from Samaria came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink of water. The woman was astonished, because she recognized Jesus as a Jew and said to Him: “How is it, that you being a Jew, asks a Samaritan woman for a drink, since there are no dealings of Samaritans with Jews?” John 4:9 Jesus answered her saying: “If you knew the gift o God, and Who it is, Who says to you, “Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Whereupon she said to Him: “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get this living water? It is at this point, that Jesus told her, as I quoted, in the introductory verse to this sermon, that “he who would drink of this water would thirst again, etc.” The Samaritan woman was amazed with the Lord’s words, which she couldn’t understand, but when He told her particular incidents of her life, she said: “Sir, I perceive that you are a Prophet!” Further on in their conversation, she said, that the Messiah was coming, and that He would declare all things to us. It is then, that Jesus revealed: “I, Who speak to you, am He!” The woman hastily departed, anxious to announce the good news to her family and friends. At this point His Disciples returned, and while they were totally amazed seeing the Master speaking to a Samaritan woman, no one expressed their surprise. From what is mentioned, the Samaritan woman as a human, had the natural thirst for water to survive, as we all do, but it can be understood, that her thirst for the things of this world, was indeed greater, than her thirst for water. As with so many things, we take water for granted. How much more we appreciate it, when our thirst, as a result of our physical work, is quenched with a glass of water. But, the thirst for water cannot be compared with the thirst of the soul! We have read stories of people dying, because there was no water around. But equally, how many have died spiritually, and are dying each day, simply because, they have not nourished their soul with the immortal water of Divine and Saving Grace. And while our soul thirsts for water from the Eternal Fountain which is Jesus, our Lord, oftentimes we tend to bypass this Fountain, and seek to quench our thirst for the unlimited things in this world, which in reality, no matter how many and varied, will always leave us thirsting for more, because the thirst of our soul is not quenched. People thirst for so many things, which sometimes are difficult to resist. That is why, we should discipline ourselves, and always be in control of our life. People thirst for one thing or another, so many of them unnecessary. They thirst to increase their possessions, without applying any measure of self-discipline. People thirst for glory; they want to be first; they strive to occupy the seat of honor, because, they have convinced themselves, that the seat of honor rightfully belongs to them. There is also the unquenchable thirst of vanity, and boasting to display how important we are. There is the thirst for authority to command others, only because we think we know better. The thirst to which humans are exposed becomes an endless chain. Isn’t it odd though, that while people seek to quench their thirst mainly through various human endeavors, with the primary purpose to serve their ego, death comes at an unexpected moment, and what remains? Nothing, but parched and arid land, because of the curse, that afflicts many, and is known as egotism, that great destroyer of people and projects. I make mention here, that the greatest philosophy of life is contained in the Orthodox Funeral Service. One such hymn, so philosophical, states: “I remember the Prophet saying: I am earth and ashes; and as I walked amongst the graves, I saw the bare bones. Picking up a skull, and holding it in my hand, I asked myself, ‘could this have been a King, or a warrior? a rich man, or a poor man? a just individual or a sinful person’?” This simple but very philosophical hymn, convinces us, that death is the great equalizer. If humankind could only think of this, and give substance to it, life and society would generally be enhanced. But the reality is, that so many people do not take time to think along this vein, and are constantly seeking to quench their thirst in various human endeavors, totally neglecting to refresh themselves by drinking from the Eternal Fountain of our Lord. Without question, life is to be lived in fellowship with our fellow humans. People can be happier, if they have not permitted themselves to become enveloped in the cocoon of selfishness, and truly devote themselves to becoming Stewards of God. If everyone sensed and believed, that their mission on earth is to be Stewards of God, --- to live and to let live,--- there would be no poverty on earth, and I believe we wouldn’t have wars. Unfortunately, selfishness and superfluous wealth seem to be the great enslavers, and what is worse, these are great deceivers, because they provide the illusionary feeling, that the good life for them will not end. Many years ago, I read that, which is natural; that a tree must have water to survive. But, the tree also does give back to the earth gallons of water. If this doesn’t happen the tree dies. Could we not apply this also to humans? We must have the necessities to survive, but if we don’t extend a helping hand, even in any small measure, we choke and become sterile, and have no relevance to the teachings of our Lord. This example of the nature of the tree says it all, and I think it is a great parallel for all humans. It is nothing short of the Stewardship, we all should have, and which of itself is most refreshing and thirst quenching, because we drink from the Eternal Fountain of our Lord. I am so thankful for our Membership, which has always manifested true love, and which is constantly being refreshed by the cool and refreshing Fountain of our Lord. This is our greatest treasure. We not only should safe-guard it, but seek to always increase it, for the Glory of God. +Fr. George Papadeas
|
|
Back to home page
Send mail to
epantaz@yahoo.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|