Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me to know the gift of God…

 
John 4:5-42

 
The Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar was just surviving. As a woman of many men, it seems she was too ashamed to go to the well in the cool of the day in the day with the other women. She barely considered herself worthy of recognition by anyone, let alone a Jewish man. But Jesus was a man who neither lusted for her body nor condemned her for her history. It was Jesus who helped her tell her truth and offered her a far greater gift than any cool well water – he offered her the cleansing and restorative work of the Holy Spirit within her heart. How could she be worthy of the attention of a holy man? How could she be offered, let alone receive, any gift from God? By acknowledging the truth and receiving the fact of holy Mercy the woman at the well found living water, the ‘gift of God’ that so many others did not recognize, let alone receive. We too, no matter how unworthy we feel because of past errors and present guilt, are also offered this gift of God: the living water that is available just for the asking, living water that will clean out the pockets of rot and decay – that is, sin – within our souls. How do I know this gift of God? When I bring the truth of who and where I am in heart, mind, soul and strength, and realize that I am still loved, then I can perceive Christ Jesus present in spirit and in truth and commune with him, and drink deeply of his Mercy. Am I just surviving like the Samaritan woman? Or will I recognize and receive the gift of life, of living water? Will I receive the myriad and various gifts of spirit that Christ Jesus is always and everywhere holding out to anyone who comes to Him and converses with Him, in spirit and in truth?  Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me recognize and know the gift of God.  
 
O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.  (Psalm 95:8) 
 
Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.
Saint Francis of Assisi  
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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