Our continued conversion.

You know it's easy to get lost in your own self righteousness. "Look how good I am! I attend Mass every Sunday, sponsor in RCIA, go to confession regularly, say my Rosary, family prayer every night, bla, bla, bla…" Now don't misunderstand me all of those things are good and proper. I would argue essential for continued conversion in our own lives. But what does that mean, really?

Conversion and continued conversion. I think of todays readings http://www.usccb.org/nab/031107b.shtml when I think of these terms. (note: I'm assuming you've read this story at least once.)
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well, really is a remarkable story of Gods love and our conversion. To understand this story and how it relates to what I'm talking about, there are a couple things you have to take into account.

(1) Samaritans were considered less than human to the Jewish people of that time.

(2) The woman was at the well around noon. It's an important detail because these people lived in the desert. It indicates that she was probably an outcast even within the Samaritan community since she would have been at the well at a time when no other person would have been there. There are of course many other facets to this story but this isn't an exegesis so I'll just talk about what's relevant.

When the Samaritan woman approached the well Jesus requested something of her (a drink of water). Now just imagine that, Jesus a Jew not only talking to the woman but asking of her a favor. Imagine her surprise at a Jew speaking to her at all. Now let's jump ahead a little bit. Jesus reveals to her that he knows her sins and great sins they are, though interestingly enough, sins by today's standards considered to be the norm. How great is Christs love for all of us. The Samaritan woman's conversion is a testament to all of us who may see others under the lens of our own self righteousness. How do we see others when were not in church, really? Do we live by Christs example and see others through eyes of love and compassion, or do we sit back and thank God that we're not like them.

I think of Christs disciples when I talk about continued conversion. Christs example of unbridled love and compassion was so remarkable that when the disciples returned to the well they were struck dumb and didn't utter a word. Imagine Peter for once not putting his foot in his mouth and remaining silent. " A miracle in and of its self!" Which I might add is a good example for us. We should practice remaining silent more often.

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well tells us of the power of conversion, and our continued conversion. As Catholic Christians we need to wear the face of Christ at all times. Not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others. Maybe then we can appreciate our own continued conversion and become authentically better people for it.