March 3, 2023

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:7-9)

Richmond born author Tom Wolfe lays out the 4 key elements in gripping prose. 1) constructing scenes; 2) dialogue — lots of it; 3) carefully noting social status details — "everything from dress and furniture to the infinite status clues of speech, how one talks to superiors or inferiors ... and with what sort of accent and vocabulary"; and 4) point of view.”

The bible follows Wolfe’s dictates, especially in the Gospel of John. The woman at the well meets Jesus at noon (why noon in the heat of the day?).  They have a playful yet cut to the heart verbal exchange (“Sir – I have no husband.” “You are right…you have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband.” The social status is front and center. “How can you ask me for a drink?”

The point of view? The point of view of the Bible when taken from stem to stern is God’s gracious rescue of our wayward human race. Mercy is the narrative arc.

“Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fifth Sunday of Lent – BCP).