Saint Luke was not the only evangelist to confront prejudice and urge his followers to Jesus’ call for a deeper holiness. Pope Francis reminds us that the Lord’s discussion with a woman of Samaria would have been upsetting to some of his day.
83. This explains why a Samaritan woman, when asked by Jesus for a drink, answered curtly: “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (John 4:9). The most offensive charge that those who sought to discredit Jesus could bring was that he was “possessed” and “a Samaritan” (John 8:48). So this encounter of mercy between a Samaritan and a Jew is highly provocative; it leaves no room for ideological manipulation and challenges us to expand our frontiers. It gives a universal dimension to our call to love, one that transcends all prejudices, all historical and cultural barriers, all petty interests.
It is one step to actually engage and discuss with those we dislike. We might also need to tell the truth about our differences someday … when we can admit they can be trivial and petty.
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