Catholic Nursing in the Light of Tradition

Reflection

Recently, I learned the name of the Samaritan Woman at the Well.  The Story is found in chapter 4 of St. John's Gospel.  This gospel passage is my favorite.  Twenty-nine years ago, I sought out spiritual direction.  To my dismay, I was given for reflection the story of the Samaritan Woman.  Sadly, I could not reap the depth of this gospel.  Over the following fifteen years, this passage of the gospel resurfaced to my memory during my quiet moments, challenging me to enter into the story.  It is my desire to challenge you to enter this gospel passage.

Let us examine some possibilities regarding the Samaritan woman, Photina.  We can safely say that Photina was an outcast in her community as it would not be until the temperature had peaked that Photina would venture from her home to retrieve the water from the well.  Whatever the reason she kept herself apart, Photina was a widowed or abandoned mother of two sons that relied on her.  She had lost 5 husbands,  and now in her desperation  she was with a man who was not her husband.  Obviously a man who would take her, without the decency of marriage had no respect for her, nor her reputation, nor that of her children.

I believe that Photina was a woman of strength, courage and faith.  Not unlike our time, her faith was impacted by her culture, government and religious leaders.  a woman in search of truth, Photina must have recognized the deceit of the leaders of her time as she experienced the detrimental effects of this deception in her personal life. But as an open-minded individual, Photina forged ahead in life, continuing to search for truth.

Ah! God's divine intervention - Photina's physical thirst brought her to the well.  Unaware that the well within her was dry, she cautiously entered into conversation with Jesus.  Her spirit of openness worked to her benefit - she was ready to hear the truth.  And Jesus answered her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but he that shall drink of the water that I will give him shall not thirst forever..  But the water I will give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into life everlasting."

For definitive truth, Photina completed her search asking him if He is the Christ. He replied, "I am He who am speaking with thee."

In her excitement, she left her waterpot and ran to her community, saying; "Come and see."  They came, they saw, they heard, and they believed.  She converted a city.

St. Photina received the water from the Well-Spring of Eternal Life.  So powerful and efficacious was this water, she maintained her testimony to the truth of Christ even unto her martyrdom.  Jesus promised her life everlasting, and today she continues to call a city to drink from the same Fountain of Life.

St. Photina intercede for us at the Throne of God that we may have the courage and strength to follow Christ throughout the trials, misfortune and suffering of this life.  Pray that we may have the grace of final perseverance. For the Glory of God.

                                                 Long Live Christ the King!

We will offer to God through our Blessed Virgin Mary our prayers, Rosaries and work for your intentions.

Please pray for us as well.