1 00:00:01,639 --> 00:00:04,919 Fr. Craig Swan: The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 00:00:04,919 --> 00:00:06,919 Fr. Craig Swan: According to John. 3 00:00:06,919 --> 00:00:09,560 Fr. Craig Swan: Glory be to thee, O Christ. 4 00:00:10,679 --> 00:00:16,120 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of 5 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:20,000 Fr. Craig Swan: ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:21,719 Fr. Craig Swan: Jacob's well was there, and 7 00:00:21,719 --> 00:00:24,399 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus, tired out by his journey, 8 00:00:24,399 --> 00:00:26,199 Fr. Craig Swan: was sitting by the wall by the 9 00:00:26,199 --> 00:00:27,280 Fr. Craig Swan: well. 10 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,640 Fr. Craig Swan: It was about noon. 11 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:34,659 Fr. Craig Swan: A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, 12 00:00:34,659 --> 00:00:37,039 Fr. Craig Swan: give me a drink. 13 00:00:37,039 --> 00:00:40,679 Fr. Craig Swan: His disciples had gone to the city to buy food. 14 00:00:40,679 --> 00:00:46,079 Fr. Craig Swan: The Samaritan woman said to him, how is it that you, a Jew, ask a 15 00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:49,920 Fr. Craig Swan: drink of me, a woman of Samaria? 16 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:54,520 Fr. Craig Swan: Jews do not share things in common with the Samaritans. 17 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:57,659 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus answered her, if you knew 18 00:00:57,659 --> 00:01:00,719 Fr. Craig Swan: the gift of God, and who it is 19 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:02,359 Fr. Craig Swan: that is saying to you, give me a 20 00:01:02,359 --> 00:01:03,600 Fr. Craig Swan: drink. 21 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,040 Fr. Craig Swan: You would have asked him and he 22 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:07,200 Fr. Craig Swan: would have given you living 23 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:08,040 Fr. Craig Swan: water. 24 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,920 Fr. Craig Swan: The woman said to him, sir, you 25 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,439 Fr. Craig Swan: have no bucket and the well is 26 00:01:14,439 --> 00:01:15,200 Fr. Craig Swan: deep. 27 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,159 Fr. Craig Swan: Where do you get that living water? 28 00:01:19,159 --> 00:01:22,840 Fr. Craig Swan: Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the 29 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:28,040 Fr. Craig Swan: well, and with his sons and his flocks, drank from it? 30 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:31,040 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to her, everyone who 31 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,040 Fr. Craig Swan: drinks of this water will be 32 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:34,879 Fr. Craig Swan: thirsty again. 33 00:01:34,879 --> 00:01:37,120 Fr. Craig Swan: But those who drink of the water 34 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,579 Fr. Craig Swan: that I will give them will never 35 00:01:39,579 --> 00:01:41,519 Fr. Craig Swan: be thirsty. 36 00:01:41,519 --> 00:01:46,200 Fr. Craig Swan: The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water 37 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,000 Fr. Craig Swan: gushing up to eternal life. 38 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:54,319 Fr. Craig Swan: The woman said to him, sir, give me this water, so that I may 39 00:01:54,319 --> 00:01:59,469 Fr. Craig Swan: never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water. 40 00:01:59,469 --> 00:02:05,950 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to her, go call your husband and come back. 41 00:02:05,950 --> 00:02:08,550 Fr. Craig Swan: The woman answered him, I have no husband. 42 00:02:08,550 --> 00:02:10,430 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to her, you are right 43 00:02:10,430 --> 00:02:13,590 Fr. Craig Swan: in saying, I have no husband, 44 00:02:13,590 --> 00:02:16,229 Fr. Craig Swan: for you have had five husbands, 45 00:02:16,229 --> 00:02:18,150 Fr. Craig Swan: and the one you have now is not 46 00:02:18,150 --> 00:02:19,349 Fr. Craig Swan: your husband. 47 00:02:23,669 --> 00:02:26,310 Fr. Craig Swan: What you have said is true. 48 00:02:26,310 --> 00:02:29,789 Fr. Craig Swan: The woman said to him, sir, I see that you are a prophet. 49 00:02:29,789 --> 00:02:33,550 Fr. Craig Swan: Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the 50 00:02:33,550 --> 00:02:37,430 Fr. Craig Swan: place where people must worship is in Jerusalem. 51 00:02:37,430 --> 00:02:40,469 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to her, woman, believe me, the hour is coming 52 00:02:40,469 --> 00:02:43,349 Fr. Craig Swan: when you will worship the father, neither on this mountain 53 00:02:43,349 --> 00:02:44,990 Fr. Craig Swan: nor in Jerusalem. 54 00:02:44,990 --> 00:02:48,349 Fr. Craig Swan: You will worship what you do not know. 55 00:02:48,349 --> 00:02:54,590 Fr. Craig Swan: We worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 56 00:02:54,590 --> 00:02:59,909 Fr. Craig Swan: But the hour is coming, and now is here, when the true 57 00:02:59,909 --> 00:03:03,909 Fr. Craig Swan: worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth. 58 00:03:03,909 --> 00:03:07,629 Fr. Craig Swan: For the father seeks such as these to worship him. 59 00:03:07,629 --> 00:03:11,990 Fr. Craig Swan: God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in 60 00:03:11,990 --> 00:03:13,830 Fr. Craig Swan: spirit and truth. 61 00:03:13,830 --> 00:03:19,030 Fr. Craig Swan: The woman said to him, I know that the Messiah is coming, who 62 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:21,150 Fr. Craig Swan: is called Christ. 63 00:03:21,150 --> 00:03:24,870 Fr. Craig Swan: When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us. 64 00:03:24,870 --> 00:03:30,430 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to her, I am he, the one who is speaking to you. 65 00:03:30,430 --> 00:03:32,710 Fr. Craig Swan: Just then his disciples came. 66 00:03:32,710 --> 00:03:36,389 Fr. Craig Swan: They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no 67 00:03:36,389 --> 00:03:37,629 Fr. Craig Swan: one said, what do you want? 68 00:03:37,629 --> 00:03:40,509 Fr. Craig Swan: Or why are you speaking with her? 69 00:03:40,509 --> 00:03:44,069 Fr. Craig Swan: Then the woman left her water jug and went back to the city. 70 00:03:44,069 --> 00:03:47,469 Fr. Craig Swan: She said to the people, come and see a man who told me everything 71 00:03:47,469 --> 00:03:49,430 Fr. Craig Swan: I have ever done. 72 00:03:49,430 --> 00:03:52,430 Fr. Craig Swan: He cannot be the Messiah, can he? 73 00:03:52,430 --> 00:03:55,389 Fr. Craig Swan: They left the city and were on their way to him. 74 00:03:55,389 --> 00:03:56,909 Fr. Craig Swan: Meanwhile, the disciples were 75 00:03:56,909 --> 00:03:58,389 Fr. Craig Swan: urging him, Rabbi, eat 76 00:03:58,389 --> 00:03:59,550 Fr. Craig Swan: something. 77 00:03:59,550 --> 00:04:01,509 Fr. Craig Swan: But he said to them, I have food 78 00:04:01,509 --> 00:04:03,509 Fr. Craig Swan: to eat that you do not know 79 00:04:03,509 --> 00:04:04,830 Fr. Craig Swan: about. 80 00:04:04,830 --> 00:04:07,710 Fr. Craig Swan: So the disciples said to one another, surely no one has 81 00:04:07,710 --> 00:04:10,030 Fr. Craig Swan: brought him something to eat. 82 00:04:10,030 --> 00:04:15,030 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of him who sent 83 00:04:15,030 --> 00:04:18,389 Fr. Craig Swan: me, and to complete his work. 84 00:04:18,389 --> 00:04:22,470 Fr. Craig Swan: Do you not say, four months more than comes the harvest? 85 00:04:22,470 --> 00:04:24,069 Fr. Craig Swan: But I tell you, look around you 86 00:04:24,069 --> 00:04:25,790 Fr. Craig Swan: and see how the fields are ripe 87 00:04:25,790 --> 00:04:27,550 Fr. Craig Swan: for harvesting. 88 00:04:27,550 --> 00:04:31,149 Fr. Craig Swan: The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for 89 00:04:31,149 --> 00:04:36,589 Fr. Craig Swan: eternal life, so that the sower and reaper may rejoice together. 90 00:04:36,589 --> 00:04:39,910 Fr. Craig Swan: For here the saying holds true. 91 00:04:39,910 --> 00:04:42,910 Fr. Craig Swan: One sows and another reaps. 92 00:04:42,910 --> 00:04:47,629 Fr. Craig Swan: I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. 93 00:04:47,629 --> 00:04:53,350 Fr. Craig Swan: Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. 94 00:04:53,350 --> 00:04:54,990 Fr. Craig Swan: Many Samaritans from that city 95 00:04:54,990 --> 00:04:56,269 Fr. Craig Swan: believed in him because of the 96 00:04:56,269 --> 00:04:58,430 Fr. Craig Swan: woman's testimony. 97 00:04:58,430 --> 00:05:01,629 Fr. Craig Swan: He told me everything I have done. 98 00:05:01,629 --> 00:05:03,250 Fr. Craig Swan: So when the Samaritans came to 99 00:05:03,250 --> 00:05:04,829 Fr. Craig Swan: him, they asked him to stay with 100 00:05:04,829 --> 00:05:06,790 Fr. Craig Swan: them and he stayed there two 101 00:05:06,790 --> 00:05:07,910 Fr. Craig Swan: days. 102 00:05:07,910 --> 00:05:11,350 Fr. Craig Swan: And many more believed because of his word. 103 00:05:11,350 --> 00:05:14,589 Fr. Craig Swan: They said to the woman, it is no longer because of what you said 104 00:05:14,589 --> 00:05:18,990 Fr. Craig Swan: that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know 105 00:05:18,990 --> 00:05:22,310 Fr. Craig Swan: that this is truly the Saviour of the world. 106 00:05:22,310 --> 00:05:24,589 Fr. Craig Swan: The gospel of the Lord. 107 00:05:24,589 --> 00:05:28,069 Fr. Craig Swan: Praise to you, Lord Christ. 108 00:05:28,069 --> 00:05:31,509 Fr. Craig Swan: In the name of God, father, son and Holy Spirit. 109 00:05:31,509 --> 00:05:32,189 Fr. Craig Swan: Amen. 110 00:05:32,189 --> 00:05:33,550 Fr. Craig Swan: Please be seated. 111 00:05:33,550 --> 00:05:36,529 Fr. Craig Swan: Yesterday afternoon, Maureen and I had the opportunity to go to 112 00:05:36,529 --> 00:05:40,149 Fr. Craig Swan: see a Broadway style play. 113 00:05:41,230 --> 00:05:43,670 Fr. Craig Swan: Now, obviously we didn't see this in New York because there 114 00:05:43,670 --> 00:05:47,430 Fr. Craig Swan: really was no way we'd been able to go there and get back on time 115 00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:48,870 Fr. Craig Swan: for this morning. 116 00:05:48,870 --> 00:05:50,790 Fr. Craig Swan: So it was sort of an off 117 00:05:50,790 --> 00:05:56,569 Fr. Craig Swan: Broadway play, way off Broadway 118 00:05:56,569 --> 00:05:58,339 Fr. Craig Swan: play. 119 00:05:58,339 --> 00:06:02,540 Fr. Craig Swan: And it was not exactly a professional play either. 120 00:06:02,540 --> 00:06:05,459 Fr. Craig Swan: It was an amateur production. 121 00:06:07,500 --> 00:06:10,100 Fr. Craig Swan: It was actually the fall River 122 00:06:10,100 --> 00:06:13,240 Fr. Craig Swan: Middle School's production of 123 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,300 Fr. Craig Swan: Alice in Wonderland, produced 124 00:06:16,300 --> 00:06:17,779 Fr. Craig Swan: and directed by our daughter 125 00:06:17,779 --> 00:06:18,180 Fr. Craig Swan: Chelsea. 126 00:06:18,180 --> 00:06:20,060 Fr. Craig Swan: And it was an absolutely wonderful play. 127 00:06:20,060 --> 00:06:21,579 Fr. Craig Swan: And I'm not here talking about 128 00:06:21,579 --> 00:06:23,300 Fr. Craig Swan: that because just because I'm 129 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:24,379 Fr. Craig Swan: proud of her for what she 130 00:06:24,379 --> 00:06:26,899 Fr. Craig Swan: accomplished, but because of 131 00:06:26,899 --> 00:06:29,620 Fr. Craig Swan: what I saw happen in the midst 132 00:06:29,620 --> 00:06:31,800 Fr. Craig Swan: of that play, that was just so 133 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:33,139 Fr. Craig Swan: absolutely wonderful. 134 00:06:33,139 --> 00:06:37,459 Fr. Craig Swan: And it has a lot to do with today's gospel. 135 00:06:37,459 --> 00:06:42,379 Fr. Craig Swan: And because our daughter is the director, it means that Maureen 136 00:06:42,379 --> 00:06:45,779 Fr. Craig Swan: are the last ones to leave because we're waiting to have a 137 00:06:45,779 --> 00:06:47,379 Fr. Craig Swan: chance to see her. 138 00:06:47,379 --> 00:06:51,259 Fr. Craig Swan: And so I get to observe a lot of what goes on after the play. 139 00:06:51,259 --> 00:06:53,240 Fr. Craig Swan: And what I always found 140 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:54,980 Fr. Craig Swan: wonderful is after the play is 141 00:06:54,980 --> 00:06:56,980 Fr. Craig Swan: over, after the applause is done 142 00:06:56,980 --> 00:07:00,180 Fr. Craig Swan: and the faces of the parents and 143 00:07:00,180 --> 00:07:01,379 Fr. Craig Swan: glowing over the pride of their 144 00:07:01,379 --> 00:07:01,819 Fr. Craig Swan: children. 145 00:07:01,819 --> 00:07:04,899 Fr. Craig Swan: The curtain goes down and all of a sudden you hear this huge 146 00:07:04,899 --> 00:07:06,779 Fr. Craig Swan: cheer from behind the curtain. 147 00:07:08,139 --> 00:07:13,660 Fr. Craig Swan: Forty five kids cheering, proud of what they had accomplished. 148 00:07:15,060 --> 00:07:20,860 Fr. Craig Swan: And then, as each student exited the auditorium after taking off 149 00:07:20,860 --> 00:07:25,279 Fr. Craig Swan: their costumes, many still in their makeup, there was a line 150 00:07:25,279 --> 00:07:27,980 Fr. Craig Swan: of teachers and administrators. 151 00:07:27,980 --> 00:07:29,579 Fr. Craig Swan: And no matter whether they had 152 00:07:29,579 --> 00:07:31,160 Fr. Craig Swan: the lead or their part of the 153 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,620 Fr. Craig Swan: ensemble, each one was cheered 154 00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:36,740 Fr. Craig Swan: for by their name and applauded 155 00:07:36,740 --> 00:07:38,459 Fr. Craig Swan: by their administrators and 156 00:07:38,459 --> 00:07:39,139 Fr. Craig Swan: teachers. 157 00:07:39,139 --> 00:07:41,100 Fr. Craig Swan: And you could just see the kids beam. 158 00:07:43,779 --> 00:07:47,779 Fr. Craig Swan: And then after all of that, there came the tears. 159 00:07:48,860 --> 00:07:52,139 Fr. Craig Swan: And Marie and I, having been in high school productions, know 160 00:07:52,139 --> 00:07:54,699 Fr. Craig Swan: what it's like to feel that letdown after you've worked so 161 00:07:54,699 --> 00:07:59,100 Fr. Craig Swan: hard for so long to put something on like a play that 162 00:07:59,100 --> 00:08:04,019 Fr. Craig Swan: all of a sudden it's over and there's a lot of emotion that 163 00:08:04,019 --> 00:08:05,139 Fr. Craig Swan: needs to come out. 164 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:10,639 Fr. Craig Swan: But I realized after we left and were at dinner with Chelsea and 165 00:08:10,639 --> 00:08:13,339 Fr. Craig Swan: she was telling me the stories about these kids, I realized 166 00:08:13,339 --> 00:08:19,019 Fr. Craig Swan: there was something more to those tears than just a letdown 167 00:08:19,019 --> 00:08:20,339 Fr. Craig Swan: at the end of a play. 168 00:08:22,699 --> 00:08:24,860 Fr. Craig Swan: Every child, all forty eight 169 00:08:24,860 --> 00:08:28,100 Fr. Craig Swan: children in that production, has 170 00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:31,480 Fr. Craig Swan: a story, and she knew all of 171 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:32,659 Fr. Craig Swan: their stories. 172 00:08:34,100 --> 00:08:35,700 Fr. Craig Swan: Many of them had special 173 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:37,899 Fr. Craig Swan: education labels, whether it be 174 00:08:37,899 --> 00:08:40,899 Fr. Craig Swan: for academic issues or behavior 175 00:08:40,899 --> 00:08:42,700 Fr. Craig Swan: issues. 176 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:48,179 Fr. Craig Swan: Many came from very poor, chaotic homes. 177 00:08:48,179 --> 00:08:49,820 Fr. Craig Swan: She will often talk about in 178 00:08:49,820 --> 00:08:51,460 Fr. Craig Swan: times past, where she would 179 00:08:51,460 --> 00:08:53,980 Fr. Craig Swan: start with one student in a role 180 00:08:53,980 --> 00:08:54,919 Fr. Craig Swan: and then all of a sudden have to 181 00:08:54,919 --> 00:08:57,330 Fr. Craig Swan: recast it three weeks before the 182 00:08:57,330 --> 00:08:59,490 Fr. Craig Swan: play because that family lost 183 00:08:59,490 --> 00:09:00,769 Fr. Craig Swan: their apartment and had to move 184 00:09:00,769 --> 00:09:01,409 Fr. Craig Swan: away. 185 00:09:02,809 --> 00:09:03,850 Fr. Craig Swan: This year, she talked about the 186 00:09:03,850 --> 00:09:06,850 Fr. Craig Swan: students who weren't there 187 00:09:06,850 --> 00:09:09,490 Fr. Craig Swan: because in fall River, what we 188 00:09:09,490 --> 00:09:12,009 Fr. Craig Swan: see on TV in regards to what's 189 00:09:12,009 --> 00:09:14,970 Fr. Craig Swan: going on with Ice is their 190 00:09:14,970 --> 00:09:15,929 Fr. Craig Swan: reality. 191 00:09:19,970 --> 00:09:26,610 Fr. Craig Swan: Every child had an opportunity to shine in that production. 192 00:09:26,610 --> 00:09:31,169 Fr. Craig Swan: Every child with different ethnic and racial backgrounds 193 00:09:31,169 --> 00:09:33,009 Fr. Craig Swan: were part of that production. 194 00:09:34,250 --> 00:09:40,490 Fr. Craig Swan: Every single child was seen over 195 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:41,929 Fr. Craig Swan: those two days of the 196 00:09:41,929 --> 00:09:43,049 Fr. Craig Swan: production. 197 00:09:44,370 --> 00:09:47,490 Fr. Craig Swan: For someone who was beyond whatever their labels are. 198 00:09:49,409 --> 00:09:51,889 Fr. Craig Swan: And for many, maybe it was the first time that someone saw them 199 00:09:51,889 --> 00:09:58,610 Fr. Craig Swan: beyond their special needs label or their inner city child label 200 00:09:58,610 --> 00:10:05,269 Fr. Craig Swan: or whatever, somehow boxes them off and kind of shifts them to 201 00:10:05,269 --> 00:10:11,929 Fr. Craig Swan: minority status or marginalized in this country. 202 00:10:11,929 --> 00:10:14,529 Fr. Craig Swan: They were truly seen for that. 203 00:10:14,529 --> 00:10:17,330 Fr. Craig Swan: Our production by their 204 00:10:17,330 --> 00:10:20,610 Fr. Craig Swan: teachers, by their parents, for 205 00:10:20,610 --> 00:10:22,330 Fr. Craig Swan: someone greater than they have 206 00:10:22,330 --> 00:10:23,649 Fr. Craig Swan: been seen. 207 00:10:23,649 --> 00:10:26,210 Fr. Craig Swan: Most of their time and most of their life. 208 00:10:28,129 --> 00:10:34,490 Fr. Craig Swan: That feeling that they had of being fully seen is what today's 209 00:10:34,490 --> 00:10:40,129 Fr. Craig Swan: gospel story is about being fully seen by God. 210 00:10:40,129 --> 00:10:41,289 Fr. Craig Swan: We heard the story of the 211 00:10:41,289 --> 00:10:43,750 Fr. Craig Swan: Samaritan woman, and as the 212 00:10:43,750 --> 00:10:45,429 Fr. Craig Swan: story progresses, we begin to 213 00:10:45,429 --> 00:10:48,049 Fr. Craig Swan: realize that this is a woman who 214 00:10:48,049 --> 00:10:51,090 Fr. Craig Swan: has been ostracized not just 215 00:10:51,090 --> 00:10:53,769 Fr. Craig Swan: because she's a Samaritan, but 216 00:10:53,769 --> 00:10:55,210 Fr. Craig Swan: because of the events in her 217 00:10:55,210 --> 00:10:56,409 Fr. Craig Swan: life. 218 00:10:56,409 --> 00:11:01,169 Fr. Craig Swan: Now we hear that she has had five husbands. 219 00:11:01,169 --> 00:11:02,610 Fr. Craig Swan: Now, unless she is the main 220 00:11:02,610 --> 00:11:04,350 Fr. Craig Swan: character in the book of Tobit, 221 00:11:04,350 --> 00:11:07,450 Fr. Craig Swan: who lost her husband on the 222 00:11:07,450 --> 00:11:08,970 Fr. Craig Swan: night of her on her wedding 223 00:11:08,970 --> 00:11:13,129 Fr. Craig Swan: night, each time it is clear 224 00:11:13,129 --> 00:11:15,289 Fr. Craig Swan: that she has perhaps been 225 00:11:15,289 --> 00:11:18,570 Fr. Craig Swan: widowed and also divorced, and 226 00:11:18,570 --> 00:11:20,750 Fr. Craig Swan: now is forced for survival to 227 00:11:20,750 --> 00:11:24,370 Fr. Craig Swan: live as if married with somebody 228 00:11:24,370 --> 00:11:25,730 Fr. Craig Swan: else. 229 00:11:25,730 --> 00:11:28,549 Fr. Craig Swan: And we know that she's been ostracized because the time of 230 00:11:28,549 --> 00:11:32,409 Fr. Craig Swan: day that she's going to the well, the women of the community 231 00:11:32,409 --> 00:11:36,169 Fr. Craig Swan: did not go to the well at high noon when it was hot. 232 00:11:36,169 --> 00:11:40,389 Fr. Craig Swan: They went early in the morning to gather water to bring back to 233 00:11:40,389 --> 00:11:44,210 Fr. Craig Swan: the home, to be used with cooking and washing and all that 234 00:11:44,210 --> 00:11:45,809 Fr. Craig Swan: goes with it. 235 00:11:45,809 --> 00:11:48,490 Fr. Craig Swan: So this is a woman who is fully 236 00:11:48,490 --> 00:11:52,129 Fr. Craig Swan: labeled as not just unworthy but 237 00:11:52,129 --> 00:11:56,759 Fr. Craig Swan: unclean, and has lived a life of 238 00:11:56,759 --> 00:12:00,679 Fr. Craig Swan: being told that is what she is 239 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:02,120 Fr. Craig Swan: unclean. 240 00:12:04,159 --> 00:12:09,820 Fr. Craig Swan: So imagine her surprise, as we hear in the gospel, when this 241 00:12:09,820 --> 00:12:14,120 Fr. Craig Swan: Jewish rabbi comes into town. 242 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:18,840 Fr. Craig Swan: And as we hear in those words, there was such animosity between 243 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:23,799 Fr. Craig Swan: the Jews of Jerusalem and the Samaritans, who were also Jews, 244 00:12:23,799 --> 00:12:30,440 Fr. Craig Swan: that a good Jew would not even receive a glass of water, let 245 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,200 Fr. Craig Swan: alone speak to a Samaritan. 246 00:12:35,519 --> 00:12:41,360 Fr. Craig Swan: So she is shocked to know that Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, is even 247 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,360 Fr. Craig Swan: willing to speak with her. 248 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:49,360 Fr. Craig Swan: And then more and more, to her surprise, is that not only is he 249 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:52,960 Fr. Craig Swan: speaking to her because he needs a glass of water. 250 00:12:54,960 --> 00:13:00,580 Fr. Craig Swan: He sees something greater in her than a woman who has had five 251 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:05,960 Fr. Craig Swan: husbands and living in what would be usually classified up 252 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:07,879 Fr. Craig Swan: until recently as living in sin. 253 00:13:10,759 --> 00:13:13,000 Fr. Craig Swan: He saw a beloved child of God. 254 00:13:14,919 --> 00:13:17,919 Fr. Craig Swan: And he treated her in that way. 255 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:24,559 Fr. Craig Swan: In that moment, she was no longer an unclean Samaritan 256 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:28,679 Fr. Craig Swan: woman, but worthy of God's love. 257 00:13:30,799 --> 00:13:35,320 Fr. Craig Swan: An experience she most likely hadn't had in quite some time. 258 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:41,519 Fr. Craig Swan: And she is so moved by this experience that she runs out and 259 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:47,399 Fr. Craig Swan: tells the whole community of what she had experienced with 260 00:13:47,399 --> 00:13:53,200 Fr. Craig Swan: Jesus, realizing that not only had it been a Jewish rabbi, but 261 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,759 Fr. Craig Swan: this was the Anointed One to bring salvation to the world, 262 00:13:56,759 --> 00:14:01,080 Fr. Craig Swan: even to her who had been perceived as unworthy. 263 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:12,039 Fr. Craig Swan: Each and every one of us carries something with us that tells us 264 00:14:12,039 --> 00:14:15,840 Fr. Craig Swan: that for some reason we are unclean or unlovable or 265 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:20,399 Fr. Craig Swan: unworthy, whether it be our trauma of our past or our 266 00:14:20,399 --> 00:14:24,039 Fr. Craig Swan: deepest and darkest secret that we keep hidden behind the facade 267 00:14:24,039 --> 00:14:28,600 Fr. Craig Swan: that we use to allow ourselves to be acceptable in our 268 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:30,600 Fr. Craig Swan: communities and our society. 269 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,799 Fr. Craig Swan: And all any one of us wants is 270 00:14:34,799 --> 00:14:36,720 Fr. Craig Swan: to know that we are truly and 271 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:38,639 Fr. Craig Swan: fully loved. 272 00:14:38,639 --> 00:14:45,559 Fr. Craig Swan: And that is why we come here, to be part of a community of faith 273 00:14:45,559 --> 00:14:50,120 Fr. Craig Swan: that tells us that through the waters of baptism, we are truly 274 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:54,799 Fr. Craig Swan: adopted children of God, fully beloved by God, but not even 275 00:14:54,799 --> 00:14:58,159 Fr. Craig Swan: because of our baptism, because we are God's child. 276 00:14:58,159 --> 00:15:00,500 Fr. Craig Swan: To begin with, Psalm one thirty 277 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:03,200 Fr. Craig Swan: nine tells us that it is God who 278 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,600 Fr. Craig Swan: knit us together in our mother's 279 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:06,600 Fr. Craig Swan: womb. 280 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:08,639 Fr. Craig Swan: God tells Jeremiah that he knows 281 00:15:08,639 --> 00:15:11,240 Fr. Craig Swan: the count of the hairs on his 282 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:11,960 Fr. Craig Swan: head. 283 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:21,340 Fr. Craig Swan: That is how intimately our creator knows us and how deeply 284 00:15:21,340 --> 00:15:24,759 Fr. Craig Swan: our creator loves us. 285 00:15:24,759 --> 00:15:27,840 Fr. Craig Swan: So much so that he gave us his 286 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,080 Fr. Craig Swan: only begotten son, so that we 287 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:32,480 Fr. Craig Swan: should have salvation and 288 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:33,720 Fr. Craig Swan: eternal life. 289 00:15:35,159 --> 00:15:37,360 Fr. Craig Swan: That is truly the good news that 290 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:38,840 Fr. Craig Swan: the Samaritan woman came in 291 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:39,919 Fr. Craig Swan: contact with. 292 00:15:39,919 --> 00:15:42,000 Fr. Craig Swan: And on some wonderful basic 293 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,700 Fr. Craig Swan: level, that is the experience 294 00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:47,279 Fr. Craig Swan: that the young people in fall 295 00:15:47,279 --> 00:15:50,740 Fr. Craig Swan: River had yesterday after they 296 00:15:50,740 --> 00:15:53,399 Fr. Craig Swan: gave the best of their abilities 297 00:15:53,399 --> 00:15:55,990 Fr. Craig Swan: on the stage yesterday afternoon 298 00:15:55,990 --> 00:15:57,990 Fr. Craig Swan: to be told they had accomplished 299 00:15:57,990 --> 00:15:59,950 Fr. Craig Swan: something great and were worthy 300 00:15:59,950 --> 00:16:02,490 Fr. Craig Swan: of applause above and beyond 301 00:16:02,490 --> 00:16:04,309 Fr. Craig Swan: their labels. 302 00:16:04,309 --> 00:16:06,809 Fr. Craig Swan: And it is something that each and every individual that we 303 00:16:06,809 --> 00:16:11,110 Fr. Craig Swan: come in contact with seeks, wants and needs. 304 00:16:12,269 --> 00:16:15,509 Fr. Craig Swan: And so, just like the Samaritan woman, the fact that we have 305 00:16:15,509 --> 00:16:20,029 Fr. Craig Swan: found something so unique and wonderful and joyful, we have no 306 00:16:20,029 --> 00:16:24,950 Fr. Craig Swan: choice but to let that joy go forth into the world. 307 00:16:24,950 --> 00:16:26,350 Fr. Craig Swan: And just like the Samaritan, 308 00:16:26,350 --> 00:16:28,690 Fr. Craig Swan: tell everyone we meet about how 309 00:16:28,690 --> 00:16:31,610 Fr. Craig Swan: deep and great the love of God 310 00:16:31,610 --> 00:16:36,149 Fr. Craig Swan: is for you, for me, and for 311 00:16:36,149 --> 00:16:37,470 Fr. Craig Swan: everyone else. 312 00:16:39,909 --> 00:16:41,710 Fr. Craig Swan: Because this is truly a lonely 313 00:16:41,710 --> 00:16:45,149 Fr. Craig Swan: and scary world, and it is only 314 00:16:45,149 --> 00:16:46,090 Fr. Craig Swan: through God that we find 315 00:16:46,090 --> 00:16:48,710 Fr. Craig Swan: connection and here that we are 316 00:16:48,710 --> 00:16:51,629 Fr. Craig Swan: truly and fully lovable and 317 00:16:51,629 --> 00:16:53,029 Fr. Craig Swan: beloved. 318 00:16:53,029 --> 00:16:53,830 Fr. Craig Swan: Amen.