~~~SisterSea~~~

Today's gospel is quite lengthy, so I'll confine my comments to a brief explanation of the reference to “two days” and “four days” mentioned in the gospel reading and my thoughts on faith and emotions for followers of Jesus. John's uses “two days” in reference to Jesus remaining two days longer from the time he hears of Lazarus' death. These two days plus the two day travel time to Bethany make up the four days referenced in v. 39, where Martha says the Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Four days is significant because as scripture scholar, Moloney, informs his readers: “As well as the physical decomposition of the body after four days…there is a widely held Jewish opinion that the soul hovered near the body for three days, but by the fourth all hope of resuscitation was gone.” i Therefore Jesus revelation of the power and glory of God are all the more indisputable because there could be no doubt in the minds of the witnesses that Lazarus had tru...

Today's gospel story is one of my favourites. Today, I will focus on this encounter as transformation of the Samaritan Woman's faith by the theological discussion between her and Jesus. The first thing that we notice is that she is practical. She asks how Jesus is going to give her any kind of water without a bucket. Jesus replies to her practical question in spiritual terms. He uses the terms “gift of God” and “living” water”, which, in ancient time, were used to describe the Torah. It is possible that the woman understood His offer. For example, she asks “Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well?” Satisfied with Jesus' answer, she asks for the water that she understands will eternally quench her thirst. Next Jesus suggests that she “call her husband.” It is this part of the story that is often used to show that the woman was one of loose morals. A woman who has had five husbands and is now living with a man who is not her h...