John 4:5-42
As recorded by St. John, during His ministry the Lord had a remarkable encounter with a woman of Samaria. Remarkable for several reasons, especially in light of restrictions initially placed on the Apostles, limits concerning those whom they were to evangelize. Christ had instructed them: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles,” and He specifically said, “enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel...”
And so, the disciples were surprised, they “marveled” (John 4:27) when they witnessed their Master speaking at Jacob’s Well, not only with a Samaritan, but with woman. At that time, it would have been highly unusual for a Jewish male, especially a Rabbi, to engage any woman in theological discourse, let alone a female outsider.
Yet, the Gospel tells us that despite their astonishment, the Apostles did not dare ask Jesus, “Why are you speaking with her?” (John 4:27) They knew their proper place as students of the Lord, “so they restrained their tongues,” according to St. Cyril of Alexandria. They remained silent “out of reverence for their Master, awaiting the Lord to speak on His own accord.”
Bishops are traditionally afforded a similar degree of respect, as living icons of Christ within the Christian community. Even their closest advisors will not question them publicly on each decision where the rationale is unclear. They often “restrain their tongues” in spite of bewilderment or insatiable curiosity. “Out of reverence” they wait for bishops to provide clarity at appropriate times.
Restrictions for the Apostles were, of course, temporary. Jesus would later command His followers to: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). And, it must be pointed out that Christ was never Himself bound by restrictions. Thus, He did reach out to people such as the Samaritan Woman, individuals that most Jews would have shied away from. This woman however, belonged to a people destined eventually to hear the Gospel. She possessed an open heart willing to receive the Good News of Christ, and this is what motivated Jesus to orchestrate the time and place for their discussion.
He saw in her – even from afar – great worth and potential, and she, for her part, did not disappoint: she ran to the men of the town, telling them of her encounter with Christ; she became an Equal to the Apostles for her missionary efforts in Northern Africa; and she is considered a Great Martyr, because she offered her own life for Christ 30 years after the Resurrection. For her profound insights and faith, she was baptized Photini, “the enlightened one.” Female names with similar meaning are Svetlana, Claire, Clara and Lucia.
The Lord’s dialogue with Photini has inspired Christians for 2000 years. It has also challenged them to reflect upon what it means to worship God, “in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24), what it means to receive from Christ the Living Water which satisfies all thirst.
A basic truth revealed to Photini was that the temple of God is not a building, city, mountain top, shrine, or even a religion (per se). Ultimately, the temple of God is the human person. Paul asserts this fundamental belief while preaching in Athens as recorded in Acts 17 (24-31), and in his 1st Epistle to the Corinthians (3:16).
Also, will we not celebrate at Pentecost in just a few weeks, the glory of God descending, not upon an earthly structure or institution, but upon the disciples gathered in Jerusalem? Will we not hear on that day, from the Prophecy of Joel (2:28), that “God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, that the sons and daughters of Israel will prophecy, that the elders will dream dreams, and young men see visions?” And hearing those words, will we not then recognize ourselves as recipients of those promises, members of the New Israel, baptized, then experiencing our own personal Pentecost through the sacrament of Chrismation?
The persistence of the Samaritan Woman paid off greatly for both her and her family. Her two sons and five sisters embraced the Faith and became martyrs for Christ. Because of their devotion the daughter of Nero converted, along with a prison guard charged with watching Photini’s children.
Photini’s determination points also to humanity’s endless search for Truth, for the meaning of life, man’s desire for the Ultimate. “Give me this water,” she asked, “that I may not thirst…” (John 4:15). Only God can provide such an experience of complete satisfaction. People err greatly when they seek fulfillment – in a complete sense – from anything in this life, be it possessions, power, careers, leisurely pursuits, even human relationships.
When Photini left the well to call upon the villagers, she also left her waterpot. According to the Saints, this seemingly insignificant act demonstrated that the woman no longer considered water from Jacob’s Well of great importance, when compared to the Living Water that comes through the presence and teaching of Christ.
The Samaritan Woman found her heart’s desire, in the Person of Jesus. In so doing, she points the way to salvation for each man, woman and child. We are all created in the Divine Image, for eternal communion with God, along with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We find no genuine rest in the life until we understand and appreciate these fundamental precepts of the Faith. St. Augustine (4th and 5th centuries) writes in his Confessions: “…You have made us (Lord) and drawn us to Yourself, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in You.”
May we reaffirm to ourselves these blessed truths, during the rest of the Paschal season. May we follow the enlightened example of St. Photini, the Great Martyr and equal to the Apostles.