This striking sculpture by Stephen Broadbent is a fountain in the garden at England's Chester Cathedral. The inscription around the base reads: Jesus said, "The water that I shall give will be an inner spring always welling up for eternal life.“ -John 4:14 Broadbent's impressive portfolio is well worth the click on his name to find his site and be sure to click on the image here for a larger version and detail.
In the gospel story the woman has the well's water to offer Jesus and Jesus has living water to offer the woman: an exchange perfectly captured in Broadbent's interpretation. The intimacy of the encounter, implicit in the scripture, is beautifully manifest here in pure simplicity.
The Word for the week: again, just a brief verse to take with us into this third week of Lent.
That Jesus would know everything the Samaritan woman has ever done is not the most remarkable element here for her - nor for us.
What is remarkable is that Jesus, who knows everything we have done, freely approaches us, gently speaks to us and lovingly invites us to worship the Father in spirit and truth.
Or as St. Paul puts it in this Sunday's second scripture: For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly... God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5: 6, 8)
To the best of my recollection, there are but two times in the gospel when Jesus asks for a drink: at the well with the Samaritan woman and from the tree of the Cross, at the appointed time...
-ConcordPastor
This gospel reading is one of my 13 year old son's favorites. I have always loved it too but Fr. Kavanaugh's reflection has given me something to ponder while I shovel the snow this morning!
ReplyDeleteHe says:
"As acute and overwhelming as our thirst for God might be, as exhausting and enervating as our journeys to God might seem, the yearning that God has for us and the journey that God has made into our hearts surpass it all infinitely.
Drink it in."
Wow!
Thanks for the quote!
ReplyDeleteA question: what is it about the story that makes it a favorite of a 13 y.o.? This preacher would be interested in knowing what attracts an adolescent to this scripture.
Just wondering...where do you get all the wonderful art that you show us on this site? Thanks! It's true that pictures say a thousand words!
ReplyDeleteAnne: The answer is at the same time something simple but also time-consuming. After writing a post I "google" a key word or phrase from it. Once the Google response comes up, I click on "images" on the menu bar at the top of the page. That will usually produce 50-100 pages of images related to the word of phrase I googled. In the case like this post I might try googling "woman at the well" and "Jesus woman well" and Samaritan woman" and "John 4:5-42" - or any of those plus the word "art." While all of those searches will produce many images common to all of them, each will produce a few unique ones. In the case of the Broadbent sculpture, I first came across a photo of it on the site of some Christian students studying in Australia. I wasn't happy with the shot so I googled Stephen Broadbent and his own site had better photos of the same piece.
ReplyDeleteAfter writing the post, the search for the image can take a long time, especially if you start to search for the "perfect" image!
It takes time and work - but I love doing it - especially when I finally land on an image like Broadbent's - so very beautiful!
Thank you again, now that I know the work you put into doing this. I for one am appreciative. My immediate thought when I first saw this Broadbent piece was that by the "Living Water" we are quenched and drawn into Christ. I wonder what others thought of it.
ReplyDeleteI came across this quote not long ago regarding artists by Andre Malraux: "Great artists are not transcribers of the scheme of things, they are it's rivals."
Anne
This is a test comment.
ReplyDeleteAre you receiving more than one of my posts? I'm having some difficulty posting. Also,I'm getting used to a new computer. Sorry if this is happening and I'm the reason for your test comment.
ReplyDeleteAnne
The test comment was for another purpose. I don't think I've received multiple comments from anyone.
ReplyDeleteThat is probably the most beautiful fountain I have seen to date. Thanks for sharing it. The building behind it is equally beautiful.
ReplyDelete"To the best of my recollection, there are but two times in the gospel when Jesus asks for a drink."
Hmmmmm ... I wonder if Jesus were here today if I could get him out for a drink?
ROB
I appreciate the time you spend finding these beautiful images. They and your words are very inspirational. Keep up the fine work!
ReplyDelete