The Samaritan Woman And Living Water –The Fourth Gospel, attributed to Saint John the Evangelist, is used exclusively from Easter until Pentecost for the Sunday readings. The first chapter of John’s Gospel is the proclamation used for the Divine Liturgy on Easter itself. This week, we are reminded of the story of Christ’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob, and thereby Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament.
In one of the many unique stories of the Fourth Gospel not found in the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark or Luke), Jesus reveals himself as Messiah to this woman of Samaria and talks with her about the “water that I will give will become . . . a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
In the early days of His ministry, Jesus travels back and fourth between Galilee and Jerusalem, and must pass through Samaria. The Samaritans were outcast Jews because they were not subject to the Babylonian exile of the Israelites from other provinces. Therefore when Jesus talks with this Samaritan woman, His disciples are surprised and in shock that He would carry n on a conversation with a woman at the well, let alone a Samaritan.
But as the story is explained, the woman’s testimony about Jesus spreads through the nearby town, and because of her, many come to hear His teachings
After hearing His word, they come to believe in Him and proclaim Him “the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42).
With water as the focal point of this encounter, we are once again reminded of our Baptism, and that Christ’s Baptism is that of “eternal life” through “living water.”
Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos
The Samaritan Woman And Living Water