Never Forget

A national magazine ran a story that began with a picture of a man lying prostrate on subway stairs. This was followed by a series of images taken for thirty minutes. The photos showed hundreds of people walking by the man still lying on the stairs, looking down on him and none offering a helping hand. Then followed the magazine’s editorial comment about the lack of caring and compassion in today’s world. What was left unsaid — perhaps forgotten — was that the magazine’s photographer did nothing to help the distressed man. Like the cold crowds who were passing by, rather than treating the unfortunate man with compassion and respect, the photographer just went about his business, snapping pictures.

Today’s Gospel Lesson is the familiar story of the Samaritan woman at the well. As the story unfolds, Jesus has made a tiring journey and is alone by a well to which the nearby village dwellers come for water. He has sent His Apostles ahead…