Come and See

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, ‘What do you want?’ or, ‘Why are you speaking with her?’ Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?’ They left the city and were on their way to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.’ Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. 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 truly the Saviour of the world.’ John 4:27-42 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, who brought the Gospel to the Irish people as a missionary and former slave. He lived with and loved the people who he could have hated. He honored their scared sites and their way of life. He went with love and listened to the stories of the people. He went where he did not belong, and did not conquer but loved instead. Just as Jesus did. To the astonishment of the disciples, he talked with a Samaritan woman, taboo because she was a woman and an enemy. Instead he loved her and all the people in her community who welcomed him to stay with them. This is the model of how we are to live. Forgiveness and love in place of every hate and judgement.

Loving Creator, you love all creation

you made a diverse and beautiful world

supplying us with plenteous food and water

and deep shade from the harshness of the sun.

We try to conquer and control all these gifts

acting as if we are the owners of the globe

we plot against those we judge as enemies

and think ourselves righteous and holy.

Lord, help us to replace the hate and judgement

with forgiveness and love to all your people

let us make room for you by welcoming others

and help us listen to the strangers among us. Amen.