Today’s Gospel reading is a very long one. But so worth it! Do yourself a favor and read the reading before you go to Mass today. And if you’ve already been to Mass, read it again. It will certainly be time well spent!
Jesus meets up with a Samaritan woman at a well. Two unusual things automatically pop into mind here. First, the woman was a Samaritan. A good Jew would NEVER have dealings with a Samaritan. Second, the woman was a woman. Striking up a conversation with a strange woman was way outside of protocol. Once again, Jesus is breaking down barriers. He reveals to the woman who he really is, the Messiah. She is convinced, and begins to spread the word about him. And the scripture tells us that many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him.
Are we willing to break down barriers? Or are we stuck in our own little worlds, only dealing with the people with whom we are familiar and around whom we are comfortable. Jesus was comfortable around everyone. Do you know why? Because He loved everyone. He had nothing to be afraid of. His comfort zones were everywhere. The Bible tells us that perfect love casts out all fear. Can we be more like Jesus, able to break down barriers with love?
Father, forgive us for those times when we put up barriers because of our own fears. Give us the kind of love that breaks down barriers. Amen.
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