For the Third Sunday of Lent by Sr. Joan Bukrey OSF and Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP.
Was the Woman at the Well actually a "sinful" woman, or have we been reading the story wrong for centuries?
In this special "Know Before You Go" for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Father Scott and Sister Joan sit down at the St. Thomas More Center to decode one of the most famous encounters in the Bible: Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4). They peel back the historical layers to reveal that this story isn't just about a woman with a messy personal life—it’s a profound theological debate about worship, unity, and who God really is.
Discover why the "five husbands" might actually represent the five false gods of Samaria, why Jesus broke social taboos to speak with her, and how this woman became one of the first great evangelists of the Gospels. Watch this before Mass to uncover the hidden symbolism in this Sunday's reading!
**Watch this video to discover:**
* The historical feud between Jews and Samaritans regarding Mount Gerizim vs. Jerusalem.
* A fresh interpretation of the "five husbands" as idolatry rather than sexual sin.
* The true meaning of worshiping in "Spirit and Truth."
* How to be an apostle like the Samaritan woman in your own life.
**🕒 Video Timeline:**
* 0:00 - Introduction: Filming late night at the St. Thomas More Center.
* 0:55 - Setting the Scene: John’s Gospel and symbolic meaning.
* 1:36 - The Jewish vs. Samaritan conflict explained.
* 2:32 - Who were the Samaritans? (Assyrian history & foreign gods).
* 4:33 - Jacob's Well: A 2,000-year-old landmark.
* 5:12 - Why was the woman at the well at noon? (Breaking taboos).
* 6:21 - "Give me a drink": The dialogue begins.
* 8:54 - The "Five Husbands" Twist: A theological interpretation.
* 10:16 - The real question: Where should we worship?
* 11:42 - Worshiping in Spirit and Truth: The message of Unity.
* 13:35 - Jesus reveals His identity: "I Am He."
* 15:35 - Homework: Read John Chapter 4 before Sunday!
**🙏 About Know Before You Go:**
"Know Before You Go" provides the historical context, biblical background, and spiritual insights you need to fully appreciate the Sunday Mass readings. Join the Dominican Friars and friends as we dive deep into Scripture.
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