PARISH
To call and enable an ever deepening
ENCOUNTER with JESUS
Written by Tony Pires
Parish Renewal Team
In Lent this year (2025) we ran a workshop, and I spoke of a model of a parish built on the vision of Pope Francis.
The first, and by far most important role, of a parish community was to call and enable all parishioners to “AN ENCOUNTER with JESUS”
At the Lenten Reflection Day, 32 Pastoral Counsellors and 4 Priests considered this vital role of every parish. We took as a model the striking event of Jesus meeting the Woman at the Well; John 4:4-42.
We reflected on a few images that capture the essence of the encounter:
- Initially Jesus MEETS the Samaritan Woman. We could describe her as an outcast, as she visits the well at a time when other villagers are absent. We learn her life has been determined by poor decisions; we could surmise that she has been damaged by these decisions. She is suspicious of men and Jews. She is simply here to gather water for her household; is her heart desiring something more?
Jesus approaches and intrudes.
She is not expecting this!
He CHOOSES to speak to her, irrespective of who she is; He knows her HEART.
There is light banter and then deeper conversation. She holds her own and answers him as an equal – Jesus accepts this and respects her.
We know that God has a history of intruding in people’s lives. If we examine the book of JONAH, the Prophet (Jonah 1:1-3), we notice how he is annoyed when God intrudes in his life & religion and gives him a Mission he doesn’t want!! – He runs away.
St Paul is knocked off his horse in the middle of his important activities and is stunned by the intrusion. (Acts 9: 1-5)
I’m sure we can all identify a moment when Jesus
INTRUDED in our life.
2. As we follow the meeting with this woman at the well, we notice how trust grows and faith deepens.
Yet, when Jesus offers the gift of Eternal Life, the first thing she thinks of is how all her sins disqualify her; “I am not worthy”. Of course she is not worthy! Who among us is worthy of such a gift. Am I worthy? Is the bishop worthy? Are priests worthy? We’re all just varying degrees of fallible and unworthy.
The woman surrenders to a new reality/ identity and the fountain of grace begins to flow. She stops seeking her own worthiness and begins to trust the gift of God. She realises she can be honest and open and still she is accepted and loved. She experiences the extraordinary love, forgiveness and patience of God.
Reflecting on the parable of the PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:11-32) we see how he too makes bad decisions; how he, in his misery, finds a reason to return to his father and finds a new identity / hope.
CHARLES WADDELL – a local Catholic author – in his new book, ‘Why the Risen Jesus matters?’ * relates a little story: He describes how he finds an old catechism in a second-hand bookshop and reads there the question, ‘Why did God make me?’ the answer is noted, ‘…to know Him, love Him and serve Him here on earth, and to be happy with Him in heaven’. But this answer has a line through it, and in precise writing was scrolled: “God made me to Love me.”
Our Samaritan Women comes to this realisation here too. Jesus’ love invades her life.
3. So, in the parable of the Samaritan woman, transformation happens – the woman discovers and accepts this gift of God’s Love from this holy man. From unworthiness / doubt / suspicion / weakness – she begins to see herself differently.
Jesus’ wonderful metaphor for this inner experience of grace is “a spring within you.” A spring bubbling up to eternal life. It’s the realization of what we already know is true at some deep level. Maybe it’s too good to imagine.
The Spirit has been poured into our hearts and our Baptism and Confirmation confirm this. We are already children of God. The water is bubbling up within us, but we often don’t dare to believe it.
We examine the life of ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI: From a wealthy family / soldier / educated / full of the world’s richness – he encounters Jesus, and he hears the call to build His Church – and his life is transformed – there is a new purpose.
I’ve noticed, from the comments of our present group of RCIA Candidates, that they are not simply seeking to join the Catholic Church but rather, they have heard a call to change the focus of their lives; to live life differently.
4. Back to the Samaritan woman: In knowing the extraordinary love of God, she finds and accepts wholeheartedly a new mission. She leaves her water jug at the well (leaving behind her old activities (life).
This is almost a compulsive, necessary, undeniable mission; impossible to keep to herself.
She goes off to tell her village. She must share this ‘new bursting well’ inside her.
So too, when we look at the Prophet JEREMIAH we hear his plea, “How could I not speak God’s truth?” (Jer 20:7-9) Preaching God’s word has brought him insult and derision all day long, …“ so I decided to forget about him (God) and speak no more of his name. But his word in my heart is like a fire imprisoned in my bones. I force myself to hold it in, but that is impossible”.
ST PAUL too, when he comes to know the one who knocked him off his horse, there is no question that he is to be his apostle – he takes on a new mission.
5. Finally, not only is the Woman changed but the Community is also transformed. They listen to this ‘Outcast’ – her faith and experience must have touched their hearts – they trust her words to some degree and are moved to come and meet this ‘Jesus’. She must have been amazing and courageous with her story. And meeting Jesus they too find new purpose, new power, a new journey and a new unity.
So too with the NINEVITES – after Jonah tells them of God’s words – they reform – return to God – ALL – even the animals! (Jonah 3:5-10).
ST PAUL’s CHURCHES – Corinthians / Philippians / etc – after Paul tells them of Jesus, they become strong people of faith and love – endure terrible persecution. (ACTS 13 ff – Paul’s Letters)
Historians tell us they brought transformation to communities of diverse cultures – no other movement in history has ever achieved such a transformation by peaceful means.
Your Parish is the ‘Village Fountain’ where all are welcome in their thirst.
Maybe a few questions will help you reflect on your faith and your parish community?
- Where has my heart been opened and renewed and transformed?
- Where has my ‘unworthiness’ surfaced?
- Where is God intruding in my life?
- Do I know that ‘God made me to love me’?
- What is my call within my Parish?
- Am I a person of welcome?
- How am I renewing my parish – my home – my people?
- What is my mission, my call, my place in my parish community?
- How is my parish changing people and the outside community?
(*WHY THE RISEN JESUS MATTERS – Charles Waddell – St Pauls Publications 2024)
