Flowing (Lent A3)

It is interesting that "living water" was used almost exclusively for water that flowed. No metaphysical attachment could be expected by the woman at the well.

As a metaphor for The Spirit, the image of flowing water is crisp. Bubbling, refreshing, overflowing, unending.

We Pentecostals sometimes forget to stand in awe of this truth. We see something like speaking in tongues as the evidence we are filled with this living water. It is all too easy to dry up while still remembering the syllables and sounds of a heavenly language. Filling is no one-time act, but rather like a flowing river or spring replenishes constantly so we should be receiving from the Spirit.

Flow River Flow!

living water (Lent A3)

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.

The Jews worship what they know. They saw the mighty hand of God and still rebelled, they tasted the water he gave and still thirsted. In comes Jesus offering a living water. The Rock of our salvation gives water that satisfies and reconciles a people who test and try. He knows everything I ever did, could he be the Christ? Could he still reconcile me? While we were still the sinners he knows us to be, while we were still a people who test and try, he died for us.

Lord keep my heart soft to your voice, and refreshed by your water.