Each one of us has our own journey of faith. Some have been given opportunities to practice it while others try to ferret out what they think will be a path that helps them stay ahead of what they believe to be life’s pitfalls. Our first reading from the Book of Exodus and St. John’s Gospel today represents these two types.
In Deuteronomy 7:6-8, God establishes the Israelis in Moses’ time as His chosen people “of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” And yet, during the 40 years they wandered in the desert, they found it difficult to acknowledge that God provided them with countless miracles to illustrate His love for them. Our Exodus reading is an example in which God provides water (physical and spiritual) to nourish their needs.
The crux of this test and many others is revealed in the last sentence: “Is the Lord in our midst or not”? It is one thing to be angry with God because of our impatience; it is another to trust God’s love will always be there to take care of our needs. What free-will choice should we make to indicate we understand God’s ways and want Him in our life?
St. John’s Gospel considers our faith journey based on a conversation Jesus has with an unnamed Samaritan woman who represents a bitter rival to the chosen Jewish race. Tired and thirsty, Jesus asks the woman for a drink from Jacob’s well. She challenges Jesus about Him asking her for a drink of water, but wants to drink of the eternal water of which Jesus speaks.
As they talk further, the woman admits her shortcomings, debates theological matters, accepts Jesus as her Messiah and runs off to share her conversation with Jesus so her townspeople could also change their hearts; which many did.
How often do we talk with Jesus about what is happening in our lives? Do we allow God to decide when timing is right for us or do we set time limits in our life for God to react to our wants and needs? Are we being honest about who we are and what we do with Jesus?
Only we can answer those questions based on our thoughts, words and actions we take in our life. Blaming God for our shortcomings is shortsighted because we probably are not honest in our assessment of our part in our spiritual relationship.
Let us take this week to see times we are not in sync with God. Let us look at ways to improve our relationship with God through prayer and positive ideas that will change our faith journey direction from complaints toward solutions. By doing this, we might avoid the traps of anger and impatience and find the richness of God’s love to solve all our issues.
Reading 1: Exodus 17: 3-7
Reading 2: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4: 5-42
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