Shunned - a reflection on John 4.5-42

Written for delivery on sunday 15 march, as I sit in self-isolation following travel.

SHUNNED - a reflection by Rev. Laura Marie

John 4.5-42

If you've ever spent time with teenagers, you'll know that drama happens.

Old friends and new friends, break-ups and make-ups, couples and groups, there's drama.

And one of the things that we see playing out with that age group is: being shunned. Cast out. Ignored. Rejected. Denied.

This is not just Intentional Social Distancing, to use this week's buzz-phrase.

This is a severing of connection - a denial of community - a clean break that is based on finality.

Shunned is exactly what the woman at the well is feeling today.

She has been removed from her peers.

She has been rejected by her community.

She has been shunned by her own people.

That's why she is alone - when walking alone to a well is not a safe thing to do - even today: where wells are used, women walk in groups for safety's sake.

It's why she is there at noon - the hottest time of day, the most uncomfortable and unpleasant time to do strenuous work - the time when no one else is going to be there.

It's why she has a bit of sass when she speaks to Jesus - she doesn't care what social protocols she breaks, because she is already rejected to the point where it doesn't make a difference if she does more to damage her reputation. She has nothing left to lose.

She is without a voice, without friends, without dignity.

And there is where Jesus meets her:

Where she needs him most - even at an unlikely location.

When she needs him most - even at an inconvenient time.

How she needs him most - even when she thinks she's beyond help.

Because - here is the hard part - she believes what others are saying about her. She believes that she deserves to be shunned.

She thinks she is right to be scorned and ridiculed because of her situations and her life choices.

She believes that she is unloved... And unlovable. And that what the others in town are doing is the right thing.

She has bought into being cast aside.

But Jesus! Jesus comes along, and tells her she's wrong.

He tells her she is worthy.

That she is loved.

That she is important.

That she is more than her past, and more than her reputation.

He tells her that the stigma around her doesn't matter to him.

And that's fascinating, because even she points out to him that they should not be speaking; that society should keep them far apart.

Her people agree. His disciples agree.

Yet: Jesus says: I see you. I see the real you. I see the you that others have rejected... and I value YOU.

It's a powerful thing for the woman to hear.

It's a powerful message for the disciples to hear.

It's a powerful message for US to hear:

Because it's what we all want to hear; and it's what we all *need* to hear.

This is the Good News of God: a God who meets us where we are, who focuses not on what divides, but on what brings us together? A God who celebrates our shared humanity and encourages personal growth and reconciliation? A God who delights in spiritual nourishment and fulfillment?

This is the God who calls to us now.

The God who is meeting us where we are: in our places of fear, and self-doubt, and confusion. The God who is journeying with us in times of uncertainty, and isolation, and cynicism.

This God tells us that we are more than that: that we deserve more than that.

And that we are invited to share that Good News.

We are invited to seek out the people that our community rejects: the people that are suffering stigma, and social isolation, and rejection.

We are invited to extend a greeting of friendship, of peace, of welcome. We are invited to bring the living water to those who are thirsty for Jesus

Especially in an era of COVID fears, where we are encouraged to physically isolate, God encourages us to find ways to spiritually engage.

And so we pray:

May the God who sees the best in people, open our eyes to each other.

May the God who loves fully, open our hearts to each other.

May the God whose perfect wisdom ignores societal divisions, empower us to do the same.

May the God who brings perfect refreshment for our souls, continue to be living water for our thirst.

And may the God who gives us faith, be with us beyond all our fears.

In the name of Jesus we pray; Amen.