Of course, I had to read the recent NYT article “Kung Fu Nuns of Nepal Smash Convention.” It described how a group of Buddhist nuns are challenging longstanding traditional concepts about what women can and can’t do by practicing Kung Fu, which gives them “inner confidence” and readies them to “take care of others during crises.” And they are taking their ministry to the street. For them, this means sensitizing people to environmental issues and working as artisans in the community. Along the way they educate those they meet about gender equality, shaking up traditional concepts of social roles.
Isn’t this just like what Jesus did? In his encounter at Jacob’s well, Jesus elegantly stepped out of conventional behavior by asking for a drink of water.* The rub is that he asked a Samaritan and a woman, both characteristics that, according to the customs of the day, made thirst more appropriate than relationship.
By asking for water, Jesus got the woman’s attention. Then he opened her eyes to a type of belonging that would quench one’s thirst forever. This is contrasted to her own fickle way of belonging, expressed through short-term relationships with five previous husbands, and a current relationship lacking commitment. Jesus saw the woman as she was, in all of her humanity, making it possible for her to see Jesus as he is — the Messiah, the one everyone was waiting for. Soon others came from the Samaritan village to learn from Jesus how to leave behind false gods and fake belonging in favor of a relationship with the Divine that is thirst-quenching and hunger-satisfying in every way.
The kind of relationship, that, guided by clarity of thought and heart, steps beyond moribund conventions and traditions, is lifesaving, life giving, and worth having. Jesus the Christ invites us to enter into this deep belonging with God and others, now and forever.
–Kate Lasso, 8th Day Faith Community
- What are my deeper hungers and thirsts which only the God can satisfy?
- How can I step out of my own comfort into a more intentional relationship with God and others?
- What do I need to let go of so I can clearly see my neighbors and offer living water to them?
