A Personal Encounter

Mass Readings: February 24

First: Exodus 17:3-7
Resp: Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Second: Romans 5:1-2,5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42

John 4:42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."

Jesus told the woman that true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth. True worship doesn't depend on whether you are a Jew or a Samaritan. What matters is whether we personally meet Jesus and that we are sincere in our faith.
Today there are many divisions in the church. Apologetics is the defense of our own particular beliefs. Jesus tells the woman that true worship transcends our knowledge and prejudices.
The Samaritans needed to hear the witness of the woman, but when they meet Jesus for themsleves, they move beyond the words of the woman.
In any case, knowledge brings us to the point where we can know Jesus, but to worship in spirit and in truth we must actually move beyond the words of the witness and encounter him for ourselves.

Father, help me to not get stuck in my own particular understanding of the faith that divides, but rather to let your words sink deep within me to reveal my need for a savior.

Amen