Third Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42

Thanks to Dario Ghersi, one of our Covenant Companions, for this reflection.

The Gospel for this Sunday tells of the famous encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. The story is rich and multifaceted, and every time I hear or read it something new shows up for me. This time what jumped at me was this verse: “Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman.” The disciples have enough common sense not to question Jesus, though. Here we go again, once more: Jesus breaks free from the conventions of his times, not only addressing a woman directly, but announcing to her the good news that the Messiah has finally come. After hearing this, the unnamed woman rushes into town to announce the good news to everyone, having been invested with what looks like a prophetic mandate.

The contrast with the small-minded and very conventional way of thinking of the disciples is quite jarring. There is no doubt in my mind that the evangelist wants us to perceive it as such. On our side, we have behaved like those disciples for a very long time, to the point that the church has only recently begun to move beyond addressing only one of the genders in the liturgy. Through spending time with the Covenant of the Companions I have become acutely aware of this issue. A few years ago it did not bother me in the least. And yet, the words we say when we pray and when we worship shape the way we perceive, think, and feel.

A good friend of mine who has served in the Episcopal Church for a long time told me how she felt left out when saying the words of the Confession of Sin in the Rite I liturgy, “judge of all men.” Truth be told, she also quipped that since it is judgment we are talking about, perhaps being left out is not such a bad thing after all!

Gender-inclusive language refers to the use of words that bring everyone in, as well as to a balanced choice of biblical stories with male and female characters. Although there is still resistance in several denominations and congregations, ensuring that the language used in the liturgy is gender-inclusive has become an important issue for many pastors. When it comes to expansive language, though, things are much more complicated.

The technical term “expansive language” means addressing and referring to God with attributes that go beyond male-exclusive language. Common responses that we hear to this are that Jesus himself addressed God as “Father” on several occasions. I can’t argue with that, and the image of God as Father and Lord is obviously part of me. However, the Bible does include several tantalizing hints that point towards a more expansive reality. I’m thinking of Jesus’ address to Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37, for example: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings […]” We could find many more examples.

Could these be small seeds planted by the Spirit, waiting to germinate at the right time? One thing is certain: words matter. Our perceptions, thoughts, and feelings are shaped by the language we use. The more expansive language used by the Companions has already started to stir things up for me.

How are we to respond to our sisters and brothers who are deeply attached to the language they have always used and who cannot imagine moving to a more expansive language? I don’t know. I suspect that the best we can do is to discern together. No matter what form our prayer books, church bulletins, and private devotions will take, I firmly believe that we will all experience growth if we engage with this issue. In the meanwhile, I’m reminded of that living water that Jesus promised to the woman at the well. Now that I think of it, in my mother tongue “water” is a feminine noun…