HOLY SUNDAY: THE HOLY MESSAGE AND THE GOSPEL

AM

I was not able to meet Mamagurl (sister of ZJ) who had seminar here in the city of Iloilo last friday night. There was a conflict in my work time and her seminar schedule.

This morning I received a nice text message. I want to share it to you all. Here it is:

One day, God had a work for me to do. He showed a rock and told me to push it with all my might. For many years, I pushed and pushed but nothing happened. The rock hasn't moved even an inch. In discouragement, I asked God why am I failing. The Lord responded, "Your task is to push the rock. Never did I mention that you move it. Now I, my child, will move the rock."
Obedience to God is easy if we only know how to listen. He doesn't want us to suffer. He only wants us to LEARN.

-from Mamagurl, 8:42 am 24-FEB-08

Thanks for the inspiring message Mamagurl!


PM

I heard mass. I don't want to elaborate the whole mass but lemme share you THE WORLD OF THE GOSPEL- by Gil Alinsangan, SSP.

SYMBOLISM OF WATER

References to the water abound in the Gospel of John and the image of water is central in the encounter of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. One of the most common elements of human life, water calls forth a range of different associations.

The first level of the conversation about water deals with disputes stemming from national identity. The woman is surprised that Jesus, a Jew, asks her, a Samaritan, for a drink; in fact, the evangelist notes that "Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans." Jewish people at that time often considered the Samaritan to be unclean; worse, that Samaritan women were in constant state of impurity as they were "menstruants from the cradle." Jesus breaks the barrier by talking with her and asking to drink from her "unclean bucket. Moreover, Jesus offers her "living water." This is the expression for flowing water, like the bubbling from a spring, which Scriptures say is to be used for purifying people from defilement incurred by skin disease or menstruation. In this case, water refers to Jesus' gift that would remove the defilement from the Samaritans and lead to their inclusion in the community that worship God.

Another level of meaning of water points to Jesus' identity as a prophet and Messiah. The Samaritan woman would remember the prophet Moses who provided water for Israel in the desert. Moses threw a tree into the bitter water at Marah and it became sweet (Ex. 15:3) and later struck a rock that released a stream of water for people to drink (Ex 17:3). Jesus would then be the fulfillment of the Samaritan hope for a Moses-like Messiah.

The third level of meaning points to Jesus as the giver of divine gift and universal salvation. Jesus transcends the dispute that divided the Jews and the Samaritans and offers water to "whoever" drinks it, meaning, everyone. Water is also used as imagery for the outpouring of the Spirit upon Israel. Later in the Gospel, the rivers of living water that flow from within him and which Jesus offers to everyone are said to refer to the Spirit which he will give when he is glorified (Jn 7:38-39)



Have a holy sunday everyone!