Today’s Scripture: John 4:1-30 New RSV
“They were astonished that he was speaking to a woman…”Vs 27
Jesus lived in a time in which women were considered, at best, second- or third-class individuals. The typical woman of Jesus’s time was married as a teenager and was valued only by producing children and tending to the daily needs of her husband. A man encountering a woman would simply ignore her. So, it is no wonder that when the events recorded in this story are related, the disciples are amazed that Jesus was holding a conversation with this woman. In addition, she is a Samaritan, a people considered as second class citizens by the Jews which makes his dialogue with her even more astounding. He’s not only talking to her but listening and responding to her theology with his own unique point of view. In short, he is treating her with respect.
There are many stories of Jesus holding conversations with those who were considered social outcasts. He talked to lepers [Luke 5:12-16], Tax collectors [Luke 5:27-32], and the mentally ill [Luke 8:26-39]. And while there are many points to be made by these stories, the one key ingredient of each of them is that Jesus treated everyone with respect. He looked upon each of them as human beings deserving respectful consideration even when their sinfulness was obvious. And in so doing he asks each of his followers to treat all people with respect regardless of their behavior or ideology. It is his challenge to us today amid a society that appears to have lost this common ability to relate to others. As his disciples, let us embody this important element of interpersonal relationship in all our interactions with others.
Reflections 