Love That Frees

Love for One Another Inclusive Love Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Loving Your Neighbor John 4:16-21 New International Version 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. For Reflection The gentleness of Jesus and this woman's acceptance of her liberation in this parable have made it one of my favorites. Most people use the story to illustrate salvation for wicked people. But I have never understood the woman at the well to be exceedingly sinful. She indeed represented reprehensible behavior for a woman living in her times. Moreover, she was a Samaritan and generally hatefully marginalized by the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Also, don't discount the social injustices delivered on a woman without a husband.  Despite Jesus' revealing her embarrassing marriage history, the story illustrates a non-judgmental Jesus. She is confronted by a man that truly understands her plight. by telling her essentially that it does not matter where one worships, to receive the blessings of the One True God. Jesus's gentleness and truthfulness free her from the constraints of her culture and her circumstances. Pray Pray so that you will be liberated from that which burdens you. Pray and give over to God's control the consignments others have laid upon you and those you have taken on yourself. Forward to a friend