Thinking about Next Sunday

Lent 3 "Lenten Conversations ... About Thirsting"
Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:5-42

The Spirit of the Fountain dies not.
It is called the Mysterious Feminine.
The Doorway of the Mysterious Feminine
Is called the Root of Heaven-and-Earth.


Lingering like gossamer, it has only a hint of existence;
And yet when you draw upon it, it is inexhaustible.


-Lao Tzu,  Tao Teh Ching


There's a fountain of riches in the stories in next Sunday's scripture! Far more than we'll be able to explore in worship. After today's Bible study, I went to my favorite preparation site: http://www.textweek.com/ and found some great resources. Check them out below.

In addition to the lesson from Exodus (above), check out Numbers 20:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, which show additional perspectives on the water-in-the-wilderness story.

We'll be focusing on the story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well, known to the Orthodox as St. Photini (or in Russia, Svetlana). Click here for one version of the legends about her.

The song below, by Susan Ashton, offers an expression of our thirst for love and meaning in our lives. It's worth a listen!



Last night as I was sleeping
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said: Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.

Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.

Last night as I slept,
I dreamt—marvelous error!—
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.


Anoche cuando dormía
soñé ¡bendita ilusión!
que una fontana fluía
dentro de mi corazón.
Dí: ¿por qué acequia escondida,
agua, vienes hasta mí,
manantial de nueva vida
en donde nunca bebí?

Anoche cuando dormía
soñé ¡bendita ilusión!
que una colmena tenía
dentro de mi corazón;
y las doradas abejas
iban fabricando en él,
con las amarguras viejas,
blanca cera y dulce miel.

Anoche cuando dormía
soñé ¡bendita ilusión!
que un ardiente sol lucía
dentro de mi corazón.
Era ardiente porque daba
calores de rojo hogar,
y era sol porque alumbraba
y porque hacía llorar.

Anoche cuando dormía
soñé ¡bendita ilusión!
que era Dios lo que tenía
dentro de mi corazón.

                      -Antonio Machado 1875-1939



--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor