Rev Michael Anokye: REFLECTION – 3RD MARCH
“SCRUTINIZE YOURSELF.”
PRAYER:
Dear God, I completely trust You to remove any obstacles hindering my progress in my personal life, career, or spiritual journey. I am confident that You can break any chain and set me free to worship You in truth and spirit. Thank You for Your guidance and protection. Please continue to guide me in all my endeavours and help me overcome any challenges I may face. Amen.
READING: JOHN 4:5-30 – Biblegateway Link
“Jesus left Judea for Galilee, passing through Samaria. He sat by a well in a town called Sychar and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. She was surprised, but Jesus replied, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman asked Jesus, “How can you ask me for a drink? Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Jesus replied, “If you knew who I was, you would have asked me, and I would give you living water that will never make you thirsty again.”
A woman asked Jesus for water so she would not have to keep returning. Jesus asked her to call her husband. She said she had none. Jesus told her that she had five husbands before, and the man she was with was not her husband. The woman recognized Jesus as a prophet and asked about the difference in worship between Samaritans and Jews. Jesus answered that the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The woman acknowledged that she knew the Messiah.
REFLECTION:
Today, we scrutinize ourselves before receiving Holy Communion. “Scrutiny” is derived from the Latin word “secretary,” which means a thorough search or examination. God does the same by examining our flaws to reveal his goodness. The Scrutinises in Christ Jesus are meant to expose and heal us from all our hearts’ weaknesses, defects, or sins and strengthen our good qualities.
The story of the woman at the well in the Gospel is full of symbolism. Jesus was sitting alone next to Jacob’s Well around noon, which was a time when few women came to the well due to the heat. However, this woman came in the afternoon because she knew others would not be present. She was aware of the fact that she was a sinner, and many women in the town knew it too, so to avoid encountering them and any shame, she came at a time when she could avoid gossip.
When Jesus, a Jewish man, arrived at the well, he asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. This act of requesting a drink from a woman of a different race and gender broke from the discriminatory traditions of the time and showed respect and dignity towards women. According to Saint Augustine, the conversation between Jesus and the woman had a deeper meaning. It is believed that Jesus was not simply asking for a physical drink but rather expressing his desire for the woman’s soul to be saved.
Take some time to reflect on your relationship with Jesus and ask Him to remove anything hindering your salvation.
LET US PRAY:
Dear God, please draw near to me in these dangerous times. I admit that I need You right now, and I know that victory is impossible without You. Lord, please give me the understanding to recognise the stumbling blocks I’ve set for myself and the bravery to remove them. Help me have faith that You will remove any impediments beyond my control and bring me closer to You. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACTION:
Please examine yourself and ponder upon the woman at the well.
She represents everyone who comes to have faith in Christ Jesus and prepares for water and Holy Spirit baptisms.
She also represents our souls that have become obstructed by sin and chaos.
Do not let guilt, fear, or a sense of unworthiness prevent you from engaging in a similar conversation with Jesus today.
Jesus wants to take away our sins and offer us salvation.