Give Me a Drink

Source: crossroadsinitiative.com
Water pot in hand
her solitary walk
took her to Jacob’s well
that hot, sultry noon hour
longing to quench her thirst.

Surprised by a mysterious Jewish man
asking for a drink
her cautious, deceptive answers
hung in the dry, dusty air.

What did he want of her
a Samaritan woman with a checkered past?
Compelling conversation brought
mercy in its wake
and she was forever transformed.

Knowing well her thirst,
He now offered her living water
washing away guilt and shame
with his loving presence.

Abandoning her jar
her running steps brought others
rushing to her Messiah and theirs
a new source of life
and unending love.

Divine compassion gently touched her
open to the Spirit hovering over.

He thirsts for us too
in those quiet moments of oneness
when life’s demands are put aside
to just sit with God.

I offer Jesus the “drink” he requests
by delighting him in silent prayer
believing that in the exchange
I receive the water “gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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16 Comments
  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 01:07h, 27 February Reply

    Thank you Viola!

  • graeme quinlan
    Posted at 01:48h, 27 February Reply

    This reflection is just so beautiful and inspiring. It is one that we could sit with and ponder over so many times. I could not go past the last few lines where it is said that,”When life’s demands are put aside to just sit with God.Believing that in the exchange I receive the water “gushing up to eternal life.”(John 4: 14) Thank you Viola.

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 06:38h, 27 February Reply

    A touching contemporary view of this beautiful gospel story Viola.

  • Vicky Chen
    Posted at 07:22h, 27 February Reply

    Beautiful! Thank you.

  • Charles Pottie-Pâté
    Posted at 09:30h, 27 February Reply

    A lovely poem but a week ahead of the liturgical Sunday – the Transfiguration this Sunday.

  • Jacqui Hubbard
    Posted at 11:09h, 27 February Reply

    Viola:
    This poem not only touched my heart and soul but brought tears to my eyes. How deeply we thirst for the living water only our Lord, Jesus, can provide.
    Thank you, my friend.

  • Linda R Rego
    Posted at 13:01h, 27 February Reply

    “…compelling conversation brought mercy in its wake.” I love this reflection. Beautiful Viola.

  • (Deacon) Dileep Athaide
    Posted at 14:15h, 27 February Reply

    Lovely poem, Viola. As alluded to by Charles P-P, this was Jesus’ Transfiguration experience for the Samaritan woman at the well. Your reflection reminds us that we should all alertly await or re-live our very own Transfiguration experiences, seemingly far less stunning perhaps than that of Peter, James and John on Mt. Tabor. Many thanks, as always.

  • Caroline Maloney
    Posted at 14:52h, 27 February Reply

    Thank YOU, Viola! Beautiful, and so powerfully revealing!

  • Jean Howard
    Posted at 15:58h, 27 February Reply

    One of my favourite Gospel passages. You put such a compelling touch on it to make me feel Jesus is speaking to me.

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 23:23h, 27 February Reply

    Thank you Viola. Hope we will be transformed during Lent, like the Samaritan woman by the well.

    Stay safe. God bless

  • Fay Vaz
    Posted at 08:42h, 28 February Reply

    As always you have the gift of expressing God’s love and mercy and making us aware of how much his mercy can transform our lives. God bless you

  • Lorraine Majcen
    Posted at 12:38h, 28 February Reply

    Thank you Viola, for helping the gospel story of the woman at the well, come alive for me, in my life. I related to the mercy of God for this woman, who was burdened with shame and guilt for the sins and mistakes in her life. I shall sit in silence and reflect on the words in your poem Viola!

  • Sheryl Toscano
    Posted at 12:26h, 01 March Reply

    Beautifully said. To spend “quiet moments of oneness…” “…to just sit with God”, phrases that
    really speak to me! Thanks for sharing this Viola.

  • Lorella D'Cruz
    Posted at 00:40h, 02 March Reply

    Yes, compelling, and inviting reflection.

  • Philip Chircop
    Posted at 16:00h, 02 March Reply

    Viola, thanks for this blessing and gentle challenge. I am focusing on “abandoning the jar” … dropping my agenda for something larger, new, surprising.

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