August 2009 Newsletter Article

Reflection on the Samaritan Woman at the Well
by Marvie L. Misolas, MM

Last June 10th, I was invited to a radio interview by Da Jian Radio Station, 99.1 FM in Central Taiwan. Before the actual interview, Wan-ru, our radio host, asked me to comment on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the well. She wanted me to reflect on the narrative in relation to my/our work with homeless women at Good Samaritan Women Center.

Three points I would like to reflect on:
1. Jesus approach and initiate the conversation with the Samaritan woman.
2. Jesus and the woman talked about her past.
3. Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah, the Samaritan woman believed, asked Jesus for the living water.

1. The Samaritan woman in the story reflects the present day homeless men and women. They have their shadowed past. Society looked down on them, and most times avoid them. The Samaritan woman comes to the well at the time when nobody or not many people fetch water, avoiding the crowd. Most homeless are like this, they avoid the crowd, except some who do panhandle. Homeless come to Taichung Station late at night, when not many waiting passengers are around, so they can sit and rest for the night. Jesus initiates the conversation with the Samaritan woman, asking a drink of water. He sought her despite her trying to avoid crowd. Our work with homeless men/women entails us to seek them and initiate the conversation, trying to be a friend to them. It takes many tries before we get a smile and response. It is important to see the nobodies of our society and make them feel that someone cares. In purposeful encounter like this, two strangers get to know each other. Like Jesus, passing no judgment to the Samaritan woman and breaking the stereotypes and taboos of his day, we too are called to do the same to the Samaritan women of our times.

2. In dealing with women in the streets, we initiate the conversation, even if they don’t trust us. “What do you care, if I am homeless?” “Nobody talk to us, we are nobody, people don’t see us; they only think we are criminal and lazy people!” After a long period of visiting, the women begin to tell their story, their past. The women begin to trust others. Forgiveness comes with trusting ourselves and others. Revisiting the past, no matter how hurting it was, helps the women face the present situation and make decisions that may change their lives for the better.

The Samaritan woman’s experience with Jesus led her to see deeply who she is. She is able to accept her truth when Jesus told her that she has indeed no husband and that the man whom she is with is her partner. Trusting someone whom we can talk about the truth within us, we are freed from our illusions, safe spaces within and around us are created. The dark secrets of our being are exposed to light. We are no longer afraid and ashamed of the past.

One day, this young woman was brought to us by the police. According to the police officer, she is homeless, her family does not want anything to do with her. She told the police officer she is recuperating from a major surgery. On this account, she was admitted to the center for the three-month temporary residency. She insisted that she needed to rest until she is fully recovered from the surgery, before she can work. After about two weeks we found out that everything she told us were not true and that there was never an operation. The confrontation brought her shadows to light. She was given another chance to stay at the center and eventually find a job.


3. The Samaritan woman asked Jesus to give her living water. She believed that Jesus is the Messiah. She became the first evangelizer when she went home to her town and announced that she had found the messiah and many Samarians believed in Jesus.

In 2006, A-ti and I met at the bus station. She was leaning in one of the posts, near 7-11, quite heavy, hands and legs filled with blackish wound and with shaved hair. I noticed her angelic face with sad eyes. Parked nearby is her three-wheeled bicycle cart she used to collect recyclables. I said hello and smiled. She was delighted and looked at me with a wonderful smile, her teeth all brownish chewing the betel nut. I offered her some food and she ate. Afterwards, I invited her to come to the center and asked if she wants to rest or take a shower. She came to the center and slept the whole afternoon. She came regularly until she asked if she could live at the center. We began processing her case, found her family and eventually enrolled her to a mentally challenged training program. She now lives in a supervised living program run by Catholic Church. She works as a cleaning staff in one of the university. Last year, she started to learn the doctrine and was baptized at Easter this year. She came to visit with us recently and told us that she is already baptized. She also told me that she came to the hospital at the time of my operation and prayed for me. Her wholeness and wonderful self came out. It is truly a beautiful witness to us and other women. She has found Jesus and drank of the living water.