ENCOUNTER AT HIGH NOON 

Homily Delivered by REV. MELANIO L. AOANAN, THD

CHURCH AMONG THE PALMS (CAP), UP Los Banos, College, Lagua
on March 3, 2002

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet…” Jesus said
to her, “Woman believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain
nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… But the hour is coming, and
now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in
truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who
worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” (John 4:19-24).

As we continue with our Lenten journey of faith, I would like us to reflect

upon the most significant stories about an encounter with Jesus at high
noon.

Visualize yourself in a backward rural barangay with no electricity neither a

pipe running water. It is the beginning of summer and the only source of
water is the ancient well situated outside the village.

The well outside the village becomes the center of community life. Women,
both young and not so young, gather around the well to do laundry, draw
water, and also hear about the latest talk-of-the-town or “chismiss”. Water
is a basic commodity for human existence. Usually, people come to the well
very early morning when the sun is not yet hot in order to draw water for
the day’s requirement.

But there was this woman who comes to draw water everyday. She comes
when there are no people at Jacob's well. Why does this woman draw water
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at an unholy hour, at high noon? But that particular day, there was a man
at Jacob's well. And so, there was this encounter at high noon between
Jesus and this unnamed woman. This encounter at high noon tells us
much about this woman as well as how Jesus deals with a woman like her.

First of all, we learn that this woman has a messy marital life. At one point
in the conversation (vv 16-18), Jesus told her: “Go, call your husband, and
come back.” She answered: “Sir, I have no husband.” But Jesus, who
knows much about her messy marital life, said: “You are right in saying ‘I
have no husband, for you have had five husbands, and the one you have
now is not your husband. What you have said is true.”

You see, what the woman was trying to hide was unmasked during the
encounter at high noon. Mas maliwanag sa tanghaling tapat! This was the
reason why she has to come and draw water at high noon.

Despite her messy marital life, Jesus related with the woman in a nice way.
Jesus talks with her in a non-judgmental way. As you read the story again
when you go home this noon, you will find that the Samaritan woman “is
never judged as a sinner” by Jesus. Instead, “she is portrayed as a model of
growing faith.” The story tells us that “the woman’s faith grow as she comes
to entertain the possibility that Jesus might be the Messiah (4: 29).”

Secondly, the story about this encounter at high noon tells us of the
cultural enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. Jesus instantly
bridges this cultural enmity. Take note that Jesus was there at the well first
before the woman arrived. Jesus must have been tired and thirsty after a
long journey especially because of the summer sun. As soon as the woman
came, Jesus said: “Give a drink.”
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That request for refreshing water to drink at high noon was Jesus’ strategy
of bridging the cultural gap between the Jews and the Samaritans. Jesus’
request for water to drink was a demonstration of a non-judgmental love
that reduces the existing tension between a Jew and a Samaritan woman.
In fact the scriptures testify that this kind of love does far more than reduce
tension - it in fact gives life - it gives hope - it gives assurance - to all who
receive it.

Non-judgmental, affirming and all embracing love is the essence of the

gospel message. Jesus accepts and embraces those whom others find
wanting. He loves those who seem unlovable - to others - and to
themselves.

This non-judgmental love was a start of a significant theological

conversation between the woman and Jesus. This meaningful theological
conversation at Jacob’s well at high noon covered topics about “springs of
living water,” “worship of God in Mt Gerizim and Jerusalem,” “coming hour
of worshipping God in Spirit and truth,” and “the special food that Jesus
have to eat,” etc. That conversation was very fruitful because it culminated
in the conversion of the woman and the people in the village with whom she
witnessed.

Finally, after the significant theological conversation, after that encounter

at high noon, the woman left her water jar and went back to the city and
told all the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have
ever done. Can this be the Christ?” (v 29). From a woman with a messy
marital life she became one of the earliest missionaries of the gospel. She
witnessed about how Jesus’ non-judgmental love has transformed her
miserable and messy marital life.
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You too can have a significant, transformative encounter with the Christ at
the high noon of your life, just as you can encounter the Lord in the
morning of your life, Just as you can encounter the Lord in the twilight of
your life. Like the Samaritan woman, afflicted by her messy marital life, and
yet, she was one to whom the good news has come in an unexpected place
at unexpected time. Indeed, she encountered the Lord as high noon of her
life.

Jesus is inviting us to encounter him once more as we celebrate

communion at the Lord’s table….
Word count: 894 words
CAPSermon 2002-03-03