John 4:5-42

Lent 3 - Year A

John 4:5-42

Imagine a worn out Jesus, tired from his journey. No, really, imagine a thirsty Jesus without even a little water to turn to wine.

Now remember that wells are traditional places where intimate and covenanted relationships begin. Dan Brown may have gotten it wrong in his speculations about Jesus and Magdalena Mary. Perhaps Jesus so honored his traditions that he had multiple beloved disciples and modeled G*D’s expansive love with at least two - Mary, well-described in the Gospel of Phillip as able to see spiritual realities, and Photina of the Well (initially playing Nicodemus and quickly moving beyond).

Imagining and remembering help us clarify what is it that we experience for ourselves. So, imagine well and remember well. We engage best when holding an imagined future and a remembered past together and also respect their limits.

This scene translates into the unknown just around the corner. Who would have expected the lack of evangelistic results by the disciples and such great ones through Photina. Being born from above is surprisingly simple - see people as people - a woman seen as a person, not as woman, sinner, half-breed, etc. becomes the first evangelist in the fourth gospel.