Ex. 17:3-7; Ps. 95:1-2, 6-9; 2 Rom. 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn. 4:5-42
“I am he, the one speaking with you” harden not your hearts. I am he who comes to you in the Word, in the Eucharist, on the cross, and in spirit and in truth. I am he who is in your midst present in your joys, struggles and suffering to bring you the good news for your salvation.
We are all familiar with this gospel of the woman at the well. First Jesus is addressing a Samaritan woman who readily responds “For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans”. Jesus was ready to drink from the same cup, the cup he would offer her for her salvation. He is leading her to recognize him as the Messiah “the one called the Christ”. She believed because as she said, “he told me everything I had done”. He is revealing himself to her as the Christ opening up salvation to Jew and Gentile alike. Now all the people of the town came out and by his word they came to believe “this is truly the savior of the world.”
That same word is spoken to us in the scriptures we hear each time we come to Mass. Do we believe he is speaking to us personally giving us a word of knowledge that speaks to our hearts? Sometimes the more we hear the word the more desensitized we can become as if the story does not apply to us. In fact, because we have entered into the faith, the Holy Spirit comes to waken us up to the truth of our own sinfulness that we may be converted and seek forgiveness.
I am he who you crucified who died for you who by your sin drives the nails into my hands. This Lent is our time to reflect on Jesus on the cross, his passion, death, and resurrection. In our prayer he comes to remind us “I am he” who not only died on the cross but suffers the sins we commit, not only the sins of his people but the sins of the world. His sacrifice for us is forgotten as we look to live our lives forgetting his call to be holy. I am he who by the cross now justifies you by your faith. Jesus takes the pain of the cross upon himself that we may be justified by our faith in him.
I am he in the Eucharist who remains with us in this consecrated manner to provide us living water through his body and blood. As he became incarnated into humanity, he offers himself to us that he can also be incarnated into us as one “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” as food to continue “to do the will of the one who sent me”. Many come to receive the Eucharist without believing it is him present who we consume. Without believing the first act of faith Jesus cannot pour out his grace upon the unbeliever even if he or she receives the Eucharist.
I am he in spirit and in truth who through the Holy Spirit provides the gifts and fruits of the spirit to lead us and enlighten us to what is good, true beauty, unity, and truth. This lent let us surrender to Jesus and wait upon him to reveal himself in our hearts, minds, and will. It is our time now to respond to him, let us not delay.
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