Jesus Seeks His Bride - Fr. Gregory - May 30, 2021

Today on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, the Gospel lesson comes to us from John 4:5-42. It narrates for us Jesus’ encounter at a well with a Samaritan woman, with a questionable background. Those present to witness this encounter, along with anyone who heard the disciples tell this story in the first three centuries of Christianity, would have a Biblical mind and understand its significance based upon three crucial stories from the Old Testament. Father Gregory shares with us two stories from Genesis and one from Exodus that involve Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses each finding their brides at a well. Jesus also comes to the well seeking His bride and says to the woman “Give me a drink”. She thinks he is simply asking for water, but in actuality, He offers her living water and way out of her life of mere survival, through repentance. Each of us is the woman at the well in need of this living water which represents the Holy Spirit. Jesus also offers us repentance and life of more than mere survival as we seek to love Him by keeping His commandments and prepare for Eternal life.