Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Prior to the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, February 24, Pope Benedict XVI focused his reflection on the dialogue that unfolds between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (cf. Jn. 4:5-42), presented in the liturgy of the Third Sunday of Lent. “It is impossible for a brief explanation of this passage of the Gospel to bring out its richness: It is necessary to read and meditate on it personally,” the Pope said, inviting the faithful to identify themselves with the surprise of that Samaritan woman, upon seeing Jesus seated next to the well where she daily went to draw water. The woman was above all surprised at the fact that Jesus, a Jew, would speak to a Samaritan woman, whom He did not know. Jesus then speaks to her of a “living water,” capable of quenching her thirst and that would become in her “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” He showed her that He knew about her personal life; He revealed that the hour had come to worship the one true God in spirit and in truth; and in the end He confided to her - something incredibly rare - that He was the Messiah.
The Pope also explained that the theme of “thirst” runs through the entire Gospel of John: “The thirst of Christ is an entranceway into the mystery of God, who made himself thirsty to refresh us, as He made himself poor to enrich us (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9). Yes, God thirsts for our faith and our love. Like a good and merciful father he desires for us all possible good and this good is God himself. For her part the Samaritan woman represents the existential unhappiness of those who have not found what they are looking for...But everything changes for her that day, on account of her conversation with the Lord Jesus.” The Holy Father concluded his explanation saying, “let us also open our hearts to the confident hearing of the word of God to meet, like the Samaritan woman, Jesus, who reveals his love to us and says to us: The Messiah, your Savior, ‘It is I, who speak to you’ (John 4:26). May Mary, first and perfect disciple of the Word Made Flesh, obtain this gift for us.”
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father made an appeal in support of Ecuador: “Recent floods have devastated large areas of the coast of Ecuador, causing very grave damage, which adds to the damage caused by the eruption of Tungurahua. As I entrust the victims of this calamity to the Lord, I express my personal nearness to those who are experiencing times of anxiety and tribulation and I invite all to a fraternal solidarity, so that the people of these areas can return as soon as possible to the normalcy of daily life.”
Lastly, Benedict XVI extended an invitation to all the university students of Rome to participate in the Marian vigil to be held next Saturday, March 1, at 5 p.m., in the Paul VI Hall. The event is also set to be attended by students of other European and American countries, who will participate in it by radio and television links. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2008; righe 37, parole 537).
