Sunday November 6, 2022

Can the source dry up ?

“The water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4.14

The Samaritan undoubtedly knew multiple thirsts : thirst for love as much as thirst for water. And perhaps even thirst for God, she who asked herself theological questions (“Where should we worship ?”). Jesus offers him living water that will quench all his thirst, water that seems inexhaustible, a river of abundant graces that wells up into eternal life. This water is He who offers himself. Gift for all, even for a woman of Samaria with a sad reputation. The meeting with the Samaritan woman is found at the beginning of the Gospel of John and the same Gospel almost ends with an astonishing statement by Jesus which echoes the first request “Give Me a drink !” Indeed, Jesus, on the cross, murmurs “I thirst”. What He endures on Calvary, not to mention the scourging, no doubt explains His physiological need, yet, can He who is the source of living water be thirsty ? He who waters, can He not drink ? To grasp this paradox, we must become aware of what the cross represents for the Son of God. He gives himself for everyone, and gives himself totally. Literally, He's emptying himself, drying himself up till there's not a drop of water left for Himself. He who saves others cannot save Himself without failing in His mission ; it is at this exorbitant price that we benefit from salvation. This salvation, free for each of us, is also a salvation that costs because everything is paid for. Christ does not give himself halfway and the crucifixion is not without pain. Jesus – who is thirsty – demonstrates that He has given so much of Himself that there is nothing left for Him. The rivers of living waters that spring up into eternal life fail Him. The denial is total. Paul summarizes this in a few words that should not be forgotten : "He who is of divine condition, he himself is stripped" (Philippians 2. 6, 7). How not to measure the magnitude of the gift and tell Him our gratitude ?

Source (His Word for Today)