We drink from the same well

A few weeks ago, on the Third Sunday of Lent, we heard the story of the Samaritan woman at the well asking Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?”

We often hurry past this poignant question in anticipation of the next lines as Jesus reveals himself and his mission to her. But, we should pause to consider her words to Jesus. She is identifying herself, revealing her roots, even as he is disclosing himself to her. She acknowledges that she stands on the shoulders of the great patriarchs of Israel. Although she is alone at the well and is in difficult circumstances, she is a daughter of Abraham and inherits the promise extended to him and his descendants.

The measure of greatness promised to the Father of the Nations does not seem to glow with any intensity within her, but at least she can draw water from the same well as Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. The water flowing from the goodness of Jacob is the water that fills her buckets. In a world of change and tyranny and fear, she has been bequeathed this sign of God’s work in the world. She matters because the past has brought her to this cistern. Ultimately, the grace that gave her Jacob’s well and the lineage of the Patriarchs now has brought her to Jesus, the ultimate gift of God to the world. 

As we reflect on the blessings of Easter, we must acknowledge that our past also has brought us to the gift of the present moment. We have inherited the goodness of God at work in our world, here in our own place. 

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is blessed with the goodness of God’s work among us. We too stand on the shoulders of the giants of faith who preceded us. They opened their hearts to God’s graces and bent their backs to the challenges of acting upon it. We have received the graces they invoked.

We especially remember, of course, the gift of the ministry and martyrdom of Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Okarche who was martyred in Guatemala. He is the most poignant witness to the vibrant faith and fidelity of the Church in Oklahoma, and we glory in the Church’s recognition of his example. 

His holiness gives expression to the faith of those who came before us, and who invested their lives and their treasure in the work of God in this frontier territory. As Blessed Stanley welcomed and received their gifts to him, we receive his gift to us.

Father Rother’s commitment to the Church’s mission in Guatemala also has had its effects on us here in Oklahoma. He responded to the needs of the people of Santiago Atitlán as he went on mission and remained faithful to the end. His example has inspired our own mission of outreach and response to those among us who live in need of the mercy of Christ, the guidance and accompaniment of his Church.

From the arrival of the first wave of immigrants to Oklahoma from Latin America in the 1970s to those who are arriving today, we are reaching out to those who most need what the Church can offer them, the witness of our faith in Jesus Christ. And, just as a group of young Oklahomans who went on mission to Guatemala last month were transformed by the lively faith of the people they encountered in Guatemala, so we are being renewed as we give expression to our faith in the Resurrection. 

The mission of Blessed Stanley blessed his life. Our missionary response continues to bless us all as well.

We have been blessed by welcoming more than 1,000 new Catholics into the Church this Easter – another sign of the many blessings bestowed upon the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and a witness to the entire Church.  

Amidst so many blessings and celebrating the greatest of them all in the Resurrection of Our Lord, our only response can be: Rejoice! “He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”

We can drink from the well of the living waters. We can celebrate the victory of his Resurrection in the many blessings we have received as an archdiocese. We have only to put the bucket in this well and draw it out. His living water is for us.