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Reflection

When we travel with the eyes and ears of the God who sent us, we will see wonderful sights, hear wonderful sounds, meet wonderful people...and will be happy to return home. God creates humanity in total love—sadly, it is humanity who can ruin that relationship. I am reminded of the great unifier, Mahatma Gandhi and his wise words: "Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the rest of our civilisation."

It is a matter of having God deep in our hearts—that love that will embrace and support others during this coming week. Like the Samaritan Woman, we are all searching for meaning. We are searching to make some sort of sense of the brokenness of our lives. If we can use this Lent to open ourselves to that overwhelming spring of God's love, then, like the lady, we can share the love of God with family, friends, and even those we find it hard to love. Today is that call to be like the woman of Sychar, and Mary of Magdala who did not cling on selfishly to the good news: they opened their hearts and shared it with others. Jesus, once a stranger to be feared and distrusted, is now welcomed into the town. His message of hope, unity and respect is embraced by all. They share the living message that he offers, taking Jesus into their hearts. This coming week will offer us numerous opportunities to share the good news. We must have the faith of that woman at the well and allow ourselves to the water of life. We might not meet at the local well today, but we can meet at the local market, cafe, or pub. We can encounter others in our homes or theirs—all of us can make that difference this week. Pope Francis reminds us: "Like the Samaritan woman, whoever personally encounters the living Jesus feels the need to talk about Him to others so that everyone might arrive at the point of professing that Jesus 'is truly the Saviour of the world'."