On Saturday Evening, a very full Church welcomed Bishop Salvatore Matano to St. Joseph's. We were honored by the Bishop's presence among us and were inspired by his deep faith in leading us in the celebration of the Eucharist. As our shepherd and spiritual leader, the Bishop is pleased to come to our parish.
In the reception following the liturgy, the Bishop greeted everyone individually with considerable warmth and genuine care. All of us were touched by the Bishop's desire to get to know us. Each and every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we hold the Bishop in prayer. We look forward to April 24th when Bishop Matano will confirm our candidates for Confirmation.
The Gospel tells the story of the intriguing conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. It is a wonderful story of conversion. Through her encounter with Jesus, she went from being considered an outcast and an outsider to becoming a missionary, an evangelizer who brought people to Jesus.
Even as the Samaritan woman initially spoke to Jesus with sarcasm and hurt in the tone, Jesus accepted her with great love. In faith, Jesus revealed to her that she had within herself the wellspring of eternal living, living water, the life of Jesus.
Jesus revealed to her that he was the Messiah.
In our encounters with Jesus, do we experience the Lord listening to our story with great love. Jesus wishes to lead us to something more than water from the well. Jesus gives us the "living water" in which we will never thirst again. Jesus showers us with limitless divine love that satisfies the deepest longing of our heart.
Through our Eucharistic encounter with Jesus, may we be moved to be missionaries, evangelizers. May we we too bring people to Jesus.
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