Ask for it

3 Lent A 2011
Exodus 17: 1-7; Ps 95; Rom 5: 1-11; John 4: 5-42


Funny how we can get so close to the water, but never drink.

The Tibetan Buddhist religion honors pilgrimage. There are many sacred sites in Tibet—shrines and holy mountains and ancient monasteries. There is a constant flow of pilgrims to these sites.

Once a pilgrim arrives at a sacred place there are certain rituals to perform, certain prayers to recite. Climb these steps while saying this prayer, for example, or spin this prayer wheel several times, or kneel by the tomb of this saint. I’ve experienced a similar rhythm of customs and prayers at many Catholic sacred site.

One photo of Tibetan pilgrims that I saw in a magazine haunts me to this day. At one monastery, pilgrims were lined up to pass crouched down under a long wooden table. On the table was piled ancient sacred manuscripts. The caption said the pilgrims believe that if they pass under the table, the wisdom contained in the manuscripts above them will descend through the table and bless those underneath.

My first reaction was “Ack! Take those books and preserve them, and then how about reading them?” But then I reflected that iI do something like this in my own life. On my nightstand a small stack of books usually rests, and all too often they lie there undisturbed or only cracked occasionally. On my office shelves are other books that I have bought with excitement, but never read. Maybe I secretly believe the wisdom contained within will silently pass through the air and reach me on my bed or at my desk!

And looking deeper, how often do I live my days caught up in my tiny anxieties and private to-do list, oblivious to the presence of God at all times? How often do I kneel in prayer and find my mind elsewhere? How often do I take Communion in my mouth, the taste of the bread and wine on my tongue, and fight a wandering mind and am not struck in quiet awe at the gift of the living Christ who has come to me again?

"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, `Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman at the well are meant for each of us. The amazing woman who stays and matches words with the Jewish stranger gives us a great gift—her willingness to explore more deeply Jesus’ mystery invites us to do the same. Her average day’s weary chores becomes so much more. She dares to answer the strange traveler who breaks social convention by even speaking to her. And so an ordinary day of life in a small Samaritan village is transformed.

It is transformed because the woman asked the right things. “How is it that you ask me for a drink?” “Where do you get that living water?” And finally, “Sir, give me that water, so I may never be thirsty again.”

The woman receives an answer from Jesus each time, and so much more. She is so transformed that she must go and tell the story.

Faith and tradition says that we meet Jesus every day. By faith Jesus lives in the depths of our souls. Jesus is visible in the face of the poor and those in need. Jesus hears prayer. The living Word of Christ is read and proclaimed each Sunday. The living Jesus comes to us in the Sacraments.

What do we ask of him? Do we ask anything?

Do we ask for the strength and help to cope with our lives? We ask well. Do we ask that he help those whom we love, and all those in need? We ask well.

Or do we ask for living water? Do we ask to taste his living presence? Do we ask to plunge ever deeper into the mystery of his very soul? Do we ask to know him as he is, to see his face?

If we ask these things, we ask very well. And Jesus will answer. He waits by the well for each of us, hoping we will ask for living water.