Scripture has much to teach us about how the Lord transforms ordinary people into joyful missionary disciples . The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 is a classic example . The woman comes to the well simply for her daily task of drawing water . But when she encounters Jesus , he engages her in conversation and offers her “ living water ” that will satisfy her deepest thirst .
THE LIVING WORD
Reading Scripture from the Heart of the Church
Transformed into Joyful Witnesses
Dr . Mary Healy
Scripture has much to teach us about how the Lord transforms ordinary people into joyful missionary disciples . The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 is a classic example . The woman comes to the well simply for her daily task of drawing water . But when she encounters Jesus , he engages her in conversation and offers her “ living water ” that will satisfy her deepest thirst .
She is curious and intrigued . As the conversation goes on , Jesus exposes areas of sin and woundedness in her life : “ You have had five husbands , and the one you have now is not your husband ” ( Jn 4:17-18 ).
Yet , looking into his face , the woman sees no condemnation , only a depth of love and mercy she has never experienced before . By the end of their encounter , she forgets all about her bucket because she has now drunk of the living water — that water that John later tells us is nothing other than the Holy Spirit ( Jn 7:37-39 ). She runs back to her village , exclaiming to everyone who will listen , “ Come see a man who told me everything I have done ! Could he possibly be the Messiah ?” ( Jn 4:29 ).
The message of the woman at the well is obviously incomplete ; it is neither eloquent nor theologically sophisticated . Yet it is spectacularly effective . What counts is the transformation and joy in her face that is evident to all those who see her . This formerly isolated , outcast woman is now forgiven , healed , and reconciled to God . So powerful is her living testimony that , as
“ It was the Holy Spirit who enkindled evangelistic fervor and who initiated and guided every missionary endeavor of the church .”
a result , the entire town comes to faith in Jesus ( Jn 4:39 ).
The Acts of the Apostles gives us other keys to missionary discipleship . Luke shows how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost transformed the early Christians from a frightened , uncertain band huddled behind closed doors to a team of joyful , bold , unstoppable evangelists ( Acts 2 ). It was the Holy Spirit who enkindled evangelistic fervor and who initiated and guided every missionary endeavor of the church ( e . g ., Acts 8:29 , 11:12 , 13:1-4 , 16:6-10 ).
At first , it was primarily the apostles who evangelized . But after the martyrdom of Stephen , Luke tells us that the Christians were severely persecuted and all were scattered outside Jerusalem , except the apostles . The lay Christians who were driven from the city , instead of lamenting their hardships and their loss of leadership , “ went about preaching the word ” ( Acts 8:4 ). Trusting in God , they turned what at first may have seemed a terrible setback for the church into a great evangelistic opportunity , spreading the Gospel
much farther than it had yet gone .
Luke also shows how the early Christians made it a practice to share with one another the results of their evangelistic efforts .
On a journey from Antioch to Jerusalem , Paul and Barnabas “ passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles , and brought great joy to all the brothers ” ( Acts 15:3 ). Sharing how our evangelization has led people to faith in Christ is a way of building up the church ; it brings encouragement and helps arouse evangelical boldness in others .
After Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem , the whole assembly listened while they “ described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them ” ( Acts 15:12 ).
Telling of the healings , miracles , or conversions God has worked through us is not a matter of boasting but of humbly giving glory to God and stirring up faith in our brothers and sisters . Paul and Barnabas were well aware that it was not they , but Christ in them , who had done these wonders . It is the same Christ , through the same Holy Spirit , who is powerfully at work in the church today .
Dr . Mary Healy is professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart .
36 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Spring 2017