A simple conversation between two strangers, Jesus and a woman, changes that woman forever. In a few wonderful moments, Jesus guides her from asking questions to a disciple leading others to him. There is no recrimination about her past as Jesus focuses on her need to be heard and accepted where she is, but then, He also leads her where she need to be. By the end of this conversation, she has found the living water that is Jesus. She takes up her mission and brings other citizens of Samaria to hear His living word.
Lent invites us to this same intimate conversation with Jesus, a conversation in which we reveal ourselves where we are on this spiritual journey. At the same time, we invite Jesus to enter in and guide us where we need to be with his healing and compassionate love. This conversation requires our faith and our strength that we might clearly hear the voice of Jesus and accept the mission of discipleship He offers us.
We come to the well of Divine life and love to receive the living water. We thirst for this life-giving grace. Once we have tasted it through word and sacrament, we go forth to bring others to the joy, hope and life we share in Christ. Once again, we all return to the well to draw living water. Once we have tasted, we yearn for more and more so we may continue to fulfill all of the possibilities of discipleship Jesus sees in us. It is time to converse with Our Lord, the acceptable time that leads and calls us to share that living water.