In 1888 a man was shocked to read the notice of his own death in the newspaper. It was an error. However, he was even more shocked to read that the newspaper described him as someone who found new ways to kill people and became rich from doing so. It was true; he invented dynamite. That morning he decided to change, to devote his energies in a new direction, to work for world peace. After his death, he left most of his estate to fund the Nobel prizes. That man was Alfred Nobel.
Early in life, when he was working with dynamite, he was like the woman coming to the well to draw water. Water is necessary for life just as dynamite is necessary for some construction work. But at the well, the woman met Jesus and he offered her living water She was so impressed by Jesus that she left her water jar at the well and went back to the town to tell everyone that she thought she had met the Messiah. She had found the living water and forgot about the water from the well. Alfred Nobel must have had some similar experience the morning he read of his death in the newspaper. Until then he was going to the well to draw water but the false report of his death touched him deeply inside and he totally changed direction, from then on working for peace. In some way, he must have met Jesus at the well that morning offering him living water. He might not describe it in that way but deep within him, it must have been something like that. He left the jar of weapons at the well and hurried back to the town to tell the people to work for peace.
We are very proud to be called Catholic and we profess that in the Creed. But what does it mean to be Catholic? It means universal but it also means accepting everyone, without any boundary or limits. Jesus in the Gospel shows us the example for us to follow. Would you do a favor for someone who snubbed you or treated you like an enemy? Jesus did just that and more! He treated the Samaritans, the sworn enemies of the Jews, with great kindness and respect. The Samaritans and Jews both inhabited divided Israel for centuries. They had no dealings with one another, avoiding all social contact, even trade, and inter-marriage. If their paths crossed it would not be unusual for hostility to break out.
When a Samaritan woman showed up at the well both were caught by surprise. Why would a Samaritan woman walk a mile and a half in the mid-day heat to fetch her water at a remote well rather than in her local town? She was an outcast and not welcomed among her own people. Jesus then did something no respectable Jew would think of doing. He reached out to her, thus risking ritual impurity and scorn from his fellow Jews. He also did something no strict Rabbi would dare to do in public without loss to his reputation. He treated the woman like he would treat one of his friends - he greeted her and spoke at length with her. Jesus' welcoming approach to her was scandalous to both Jews and Samaritans because this woman was an adulteress and public sinner as well. No decent Jew or Samaritan would even think of being seen with such a woman, let alone exchanging a word with her! Jesus broke through the barriers of prejudice, hostility, and tradition to bring the good news of peace and reconciliation to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. He demonstrated the universality of the Gospel both in word and deed. No one is barred from the love of God and the good news of salvation. There is only one thing that can keep us from God and his redeeming love - our stubborn pride and willful rebellion. We have to do the same to bring salvation and peace to us and all. In this season of Lent find time to reconcile with people who have hurt you and ask for God’s mercy on all of us. Take time to examine your life in front of God. We are asked to do what Alfred Noble did with his explosion — create our own explosion of love and forgiveness.
"Lord Jesus, my soul thirsts for you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may always find joy in your presence and take delight in doing your will.”