We begin our journey of lenten season with Jesus in the desert. There we accompanied Him in his victory against the temptation of the devil. Last sunday, Jesus brought us to the mountain with Peter, James and John and we saw His transfiguration. Now, Jesus is leading us to rest by the well in Samaria, a town of Samaritans, a place of the enemies of the Jews.
Jesus is the source of the water of everlasting life
Thirst is caused by human need to rehydrate. Dehydration is caused by not drinking enough fluids. Once compensated, in no time, humans will be thirsty again and will require rehydration because the body is in need of constant rehydration. Human body is made up of 75% of water. Without water, we cannot survive.
But Jesus is teaching us that he will provide for the water of everlasting life. A drink that will make us lose our desire to drink water again for we will not be thirsty anymore.
First, Jesus is the source of water of everlasting life. We cannot find other sources than Jesus. There is nothing like Him in our lives. We can try to searching for something else that can give us what Jesus gives, but we will end up in frustration. We can find alternatives. Baka ito pwede, o ito kaya. O baka naman mapagtyatyagaan na ito, kahit hindi ito si Kristo. The problem is, we settle for less than we deserve. Sinusubukan natin na magkaroon ng mas mababang kalidad sa kabila ng napakataas na kalidad na ibinibigay ni Hesus sa atin. If there is a lesson here, it is to accept the fact that Jesus has no alternative. Lenten Season is a chance for us to reflect on the things which we try to substitute to Jesus. It could be alcohol, work, social media, or money. At the end, they are replaceable and limited only. Combined together, they will not suffice compared to what Jesus is giving us.
Second, He provides us with an answer for our daily need to rehydrate. More than rehydration, Jesus is showing us that He is the answer to our daily struggles in life for our need to be satisfied. There is an inner emptiness in us that only Jesus can fill. It is an eternal satisfaction so that we would not experience void again in our lives.
Thirst is lack of water. Frustration, loneliness, hopelessness is the lack of Jesus in our lives. It is so much easier to quench our thirst rather than fill the emptiness in our hearts. Sometimes, we create illusions in life to hide our pain in facing the emptiness within. We laugh, we shout, we show that we are excited in life, but in reality, we are being eaten alive by the pain of emptiness. Sabi nga nila, the greatest tragedy in life is not untimely death, but to live an empty life.
Jesus here is giving us the answer to our meaningless struggle in life, Jesus is giving us the definition on how to live a meaningful one. During this lenten season, the definition of our life must be renewal and change. Renewal, just like the Samaritan woman, of our vows in our promise during baptism. We will renew our denial of the devil and its work, and renewal of our belief in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Second, a change of our ways to deepen our relationship with God. Renewal and change are our goals as definitions of our lives.
Conclusion, water of everlasting life can only be found in Jesus. There is no substitute and no alternative. And that water is the answer for a purpose driven life, a meaningful life. During this lenten season, may we surrender to Jesus in our apparent need to seek for alternative, and give in to the water of everlasting life He is offering us that will give us renewal and change. Amen.
