Sunday, May 29, 2005 (Tone 4)
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Kellia: Deuteronomy 4:1-9 Apostle: Acts 11:19-30 Gospel: St. John 4:5-42
St. John 4:5-42, especially vs. 38: "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others
have labored, and you have entered into their labors." The risen Lord has commissioned us, His Body, the Church, to
"disciple the nations" - all the peoples of earth (Mt. 28:19). Today's reading overflows with counsel for accomplishing this
task for which He has commissioned all His People through His Apostles. Observe how the Lord teaches us about His
Mission through the example of St. Photeini (Jn. 4:7-30), by His discourse on the mystery of salvation (vss. 31-38), and in
the results He achieved among the Samaritans (vss. 39-42).
St. Nikolai of Zica describes the Samaritan woman as one with "rare skill and...modesty," by which she caught "the
attention of all the citizens of Sychar." Thereby she proved herself to be gifted with both true missionary zeal and also
abilities. Tradition records that in the decades following the Lord's Resurrection, by skill and winsome efforts, she testified
to the Faith, impacting many within the Imperial household of the infamous, early enemy of Christians, Nero (65-66 AD).
Photeini is reputed to have won Nero's own daughter, Dominina, to confess Christ. St. John Chrysostom observes of
Photeini's evangelism that her speaking was offered "with the same condescension by which Christ had netted her,"
thereby drawing the men of Sychar out to hear Him. She declared the good news of Christ, carefully attracting others to
"Come and see!" With possibilities of truth, she led others to hear the Lord for themselves. And notice that she used her
own life as the means to capture others for Him (vs. 29).
Not only does the Lord reveal how natural and simple it is to reach out to others, but also He discloses the vast scope of
mankind's salvation by simple proverb and familiar example. He leverages a mundane question about food into a talk
about the central purpose of His Incarnation, death, and Resurrection - "the will of Him Who sent Me, and to finish His
work" (vs. 34). As St. John Chrysostom notes: "He here calleth the salvation of men 'meat,' showing what an earnest
desire He hath of providing for us; for as we long for food, so He that we may be saved." See how the Lord lifts up our
eyes to see the fields of men's souls "already white for harvest" (vs. 35). He urges us not to delay but to enter into God's
plan alongside the Prophets and all the Saints, that we "may rejoice together" with them (vs. 36).
Who is the One Who sows that others may reap (vs. 37)? Is it not God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Are not
others sowing the message of the blessing all around us? Let us enter into the work and make disciples of the nations. It is
not overwhelming for any one of us, for, wherever we are, there is opportunity to enter "into their labors" (vs. 38) in simple
ways. Should we doubt how significant the work is, or whether we are suited to take part in the greatest world enterprise,
the Lord demonstrates how every honest effort may become part of the process of gathering "fruit for eternal life" (vs. 36).
Simply on the word and testimony of Photeini, "many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him" (vs. 39). Her
straightforward, honest testimony, of which her neighbors had abundant knowledge (vs. 18), led the others to urge Christ
"to stay with them; and He stayed there two days" (vs. 40).
Thus the harvest was extended to many more. God Himself fills in our imperfections, flaws, and omissions by "His own
word" (vs. 41). Note the climax which the reading reaches as the Samaritan villagers say, "Now we believe, not because of
what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ the Savior of the World" (vs.
42). Lord in Thy mercy grant us the peace from above, the salvation of our souls, the peace of the whole world, the good
estate of the holy churches of God; and the union of all men.