I was blessed to be reminded the other day about how important the
narration about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well
has been to me. In confirmation of that, yesterday a friend posted that
that particular Bible passage the undergirding scripture for this
year's Christian Unity Week.
I feel so thrilled when the Holy Spirit affirms a theme of emphasis. My spiritual ears perk up and I let Him know that I am listening. With His help I open my heart to whatever the Lord is reminding me of or teaching me.
I once heard a teaching on that passage that brought home how far we can be from the era and cultural context of life in the Levant during biblical times. The woman, identified in the Orthodox tradition as St.Photini, is the first person who was inspired to realize that Jesus is Messiah, the Holy One of God. In Western Christian tradition she is often portrayed as a sinner, but there is more we can understand about her life.
First of all, we should ask why St. Photoni, whose name means "Enlightened One," was at the well at midday. The women of Sychar, and all other women of that time whose task it was to bring home the water needed by the people in each household,rose very early to fetch the day supply of that life-sustaining necessity. They would've looked forward to the opportunity to meet with their neighbors and relations to share news and catch up on whatever was on their hearts and minds.
St. Photini had not joined the other women of Sychar because they scorned her. However, we are mistaken when we think that the problem was only that St. Photini was living with a man who was not her husband. In that age the most important reality for a woman was motherhood, and St. Photini was barren.
Because she had not been able to have a child, St. Photini had been cast out by a series of men who had married her. Finally she had given up, and the man with whom she was living had not even married her.
Jesus understood this and offered her living water that would well up within her body and give her the ability to bear children. When that happened, St. Photini would no longer be teased and scorned by the women of her community. She would be fulfilled as a woman and she would have been once more been valued in her society. She would have the joy of bearing and raising children. Provision for the necessities of life would be guaranteed even in her old age. St. Photini might even have grandchildren and enjoy the fullness of love and life.
No wonder that this beleaguered and scorned woman was excited to meet Jesus! Not only was she given the gift of discernment in order to recognize who Jesus is, but her life was completely changed from that moment on.
In Eastern Orthodox tradition St. Photini is honored and recognized as the first Evangelist, equal to the Apostles. Her excitement over her encounter with Jesus the Messiah prompted her to abandon her water jar and run to tell her family members and neighbors the most important news they could imagine. God's long-awaited Anointed One had come to them.
Even though it seemed that Jesus' disciples still did not completely understand, St. Photini and the people of Sychar did with great rejoicing. And even to this day St. Photini is blessed and celebrated even by believers who don't know her name and the history of the rest of her life.
If the thrill and joy of meeting Jesus face to face, and recognizing that He is the Son of God, the anointed Savior and Redeemed of all Creation for all human beings, I pray that you will. If you already know the Lord, I pray that you will allow Him to reveal even more of Himself to you so that you will allow Him to draw you even closer to His heart in Love and joy.
Alleluia! To God be the glory in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
St. Photini
I feel so thrilled when the Holy Spirit affirms a theme of emphasis. My spiritual ears perk up and I let Him know that I am listening. With His help I open my heart to whatever the Lord is reminding me of or teaching me.
I once heard a teaching on that passage that brought home how far we can be from the era and cultural context of life in the Levant during biblical times. The woman, identified in the Orthodox tradition as St.Photini, is the first person who was inspired to realize that Jesus is Messiah, the Holy One of God. In Western Christian tradition she is often portrayed as a sinner, but there is more we can understand about her life.
First of all, we should ask why St. Photoni, whose name means "Enlightened One," was at the well at midday. The women of Sychar, and all other women of that time whose task it was to bring home the water needed by the people in each household,rose very early to fetch the day supply of that life-sustaining necessity. They would've looked forward to the opportunity to meet with their neighbors and relations to share news and catch up on whatever was on their hearts and minds.
St. Photini had not joined the other women of Sychar because they scorned her. However, we are mistaken when we think that the problem was only that St. Photini was living with a man who was not her husband. In that age the most important reality for a woman was motherhood, and St. Photini was barren.
Because she had not been able to have a child, St. Photini had been cast out by a series of men who had married her. Finally she had given up, and the man with whom she was living had not even married her.
Jesus understood this and offered her living water that would well up within her body and give her the ability to bear children. When that happened, St. Photini would no longer be teased and scorned by the women of her community. She would be fulfilled as a woman and she would have been once more been valued in her society. She would have the joy of bearing and raising children. Provision for the necessities of life would be guaranteed even in her old age. St. Photini might even have grandchildren and enjoy the fullness of love and life.
No wonder that this beleaguered and scorned woman was excited to meet Jesus! Not only was she given the gift of discernment in order to recognize who Jesus is, but her life was completely changed from that moment on.
In Eastern Orthodox tradition St. Photini is honored and recognized as the first Evangelist, equal to the Apostles. Her excitement over her encounter with Jesus the Messiah prompted her to abandon her water jar and run to tell her family members and neighbors the most important news they could imagine. God's long-awaited Anointed One had come to them.
Even though it seemed that Jesus' disciples still did not completely understand, St. Photini and the people of Sychar did with great rejoicing. And even to this day St. Photini is blessed and celebrated even by believers who don't know her name and the history of the rest of her life.
If the thrill and joy of meeting Jesus face to face, and recognizing that He is the Son of God, the anointed Savior and Redeemed of all Creation for all human beings, I pray that you will. If you already know the Lord, I pray that you will allow Him to reveal even more of Himself to you so that you will allow Him to draw you even closer to His heart in Love and joy.
Alleluia! To God be the glory in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
St. Photini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.