Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony . . . They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world. (John 4:39,42)
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? (Romans 10:13-14).
Isn't it amazing that the words of the Samaritan woman, who had an encounter with Jesus, could cause so many to believe in him? Samaritan women were considered to be ritually unclean by the Jewish people of that time. Yet this woman, who no doubt had little respect, power, or prestige, was able to transform this entire town by just honestly sharing the impact Jesus had on her life. Jesus offered her "living water" and she was offering this same living water to them.
Scripture says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?" (Romans 10:13-14). Just as the Samaritan townspeople could not have believed in Jesus without the Samaritan women's testimony, so many people won't come to know Jesus unless someone shares the gospel with them.
It is true that the conversion of souls is God's work, but we are the ones whom he calls to evangelize. Ours is a twofold witness-a witness of life and of word. It has been said that St. Francis of Assisi once offered this advice: "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary." In other words, it is in the daily living out of Jesus' life in us, often combined with our words, that allows us to become witnesses to those around us.
Jesus wants us to be salt and light-in the right amount and at the proper time. A little salt makes someone thirsty, but a lot of salt makes someone sick. A moderate light brings warmth, but excessive light causes a painful burn. Similarly, evangelization is meant to offer truth in a way that attracts and appeals-free from pressure or moral superiority. We are meant to invite people to share the experience of being cleansed and refreshed by God that we ourselves have received. As we remain immersed in the living water of his grace and healing power, we can say to others, "Come receive the living water that Jesus is offering you!"
"Lord, thank you for your grace. Bring everyone, especially those thirsty, hungry, and crippled by unbelief, into your living water of life. Give each of us the courage to say yes to your call for us to be evangelizers. By the power of your Spirit, may we all become fruitful witnesses in life and word."
[Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.]
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. Have you ever shared your faith in Jesus with someone? What happened as a result?
2. It is easy for us to consider our own weaknesses or what people think of us as obstacles to having an impact on someone through sharing our faith with them. This did not stop the Samaritan women or lessen the impact of her witness. How can you apply the lessons from this amazing story to perhaps changing your own attitude toward sharing your faith?
3. The article states that although "conversion of souls is God's work", we still have a role to play. Isn't this what Romans 10:13-14 is all about? For many Catholics, the thought of sharing our faith with someone, or evangelizing them, is quite scary. Begin praying for one or two men you know and then look for opportunities to reach out to them as a friend, tell them how Jesus has impacted your life, or invite them to a spiritual event at your church. What do you think will happen as a result? Try it, and if you are in a men's group, share any fruits of it at future meetings.
4. If you are in a men's group, end your meeting by praying to the Lord for one another that each of you would have the courage to be "fruitful witnesses in life and word." Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point
