Fears and Tears

I find the scripture passages that speak of the Samaritan woman at the well heartwarming. The Lord waits for her, and when she arrives, He speaks with her.

The exchange brings out her pain; her isolation, her past and present relationships, her loneliness. The Lord reveals Himself to her in love.

He knows her and does not condemn her. He is compassionate and listens to her. The Lord pierces her heart and soul with spirit and truth.

She has encountered the Lord and leaves behind her water jar to go tell the good news to the Samaritans; the Messiah has come! What love she has in her heart.

The Samaritans went out to see Jesus and invited Him and His Disciples to stay. Jesus spent two days with them, and after listening to His Word, they were transformed and they believed in Him.

Tradition says the woman was baptized after her encounter with Jesus, converted her five sisters and two sons, and went to Rome and Carthage proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. Many people became Christians by her testimony, including Nero’s daughter and one hundred of her servants. She suffered for the faith and was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero with her sisters and sons. She is known as St. Photina and her feast day is March 20th. Her name means “light” or “luminous one.”

I ponder on her life, the woman at the well, and see how God was with her in her suffering, she was not alone. In her suffering and struggle that she endured, it prepared her for her mission, for the ultimate sacrifice, martyrdom.

The Lord is with me, before I realize it, He is there waiting. He speaks to me in love and compassion and sees me. The Lord really sees me; my heart and soul, nothing is hidden. I leave my water jar behind which contains all that weighs me down, and I go out and tell the Good News. Jesus is the Messiah, He is my Lord and Savior, He is my brother and friend, and He waits for you.

Dear Lord, thank you for the example of the saints, especially St. Photina, who exemplifies faith, courage, and charity. I pray for the grace to evangelize in both word and deed, Amen.

St. Photina, pray for us.