Week 5 – “I Am He”
In this final episode, we see Jesus take the first step to starting his public ministry! And so it begins. See the video above for Fr. Raph and Abby’s reaction and thoughts.
Now you’re once again invited to reflect on the episode yourself, either in a group or on your own. Maybe grab a coffee or tea and contemplate what you saw and heard. Below you’ll find discussion questions that can be used to get you started.
In Episode 8, we meet the Samaritan Woman at the Well. She is isolated from her peers, trapped by her mistakes, condemned by others, “preached” at, has “never received anything from God,” and doesn’t trust anyone anymore. But Jesus breaks through the walls of negative self-talk, anger, and cynicism she’s been putting up, by proving to her in a way only God can – that He really knows her: her hopes, her pain. And He tells her He chose to reveal Himself publicly as the Messiah to her first, out of all people. But she says: “You picked the wrong person… …I am rejected by others” and Jesus replies: “I know… but not by the Messiah.”
- Do you ever feel or fear you are rejected by others, and put up walls to protect yourself?
- Do you think those walls might also end up keeping Jesus at a distance from your heart?
- What would it take for Him to show you He really knows you, that He will not reject you, and that you can believe what He’s saying to you?
Prayer with Scripture – Week 6 Challenge
Try to spend some time praying with this passage, maybe at least twice this week. Find a comfortable, quiet place, and give yourself at least 10 minutes (you can set a timer if it helps) to let God speak to you, and then to speak to God from your heart. Some people find it helpful to draw, or write, or to pray while out for a walk. Do whatever is helpful for you.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
The Samaritan Woman at the Well struggles with Jesus’ loving persistence to show her He knew what He was doing when He chose her. And this is something every honest Christian will grapple with – that God has chosen us, unlikely as we are in our own eyes. “You picked the wrong person” – as the Samaritan Woman says to Jesus. But still, Jesus chooses us and His reasons are clear.
- Have you ever talked to God about this? Why He chose you, and continues to choose you – even at this very moment with everything you’ve ever done, everything that has ever happened to you, and everything that is or is not going on in your life?
Imagine being among those first Christians in Corinth, and hearing Paul’s letter being read out loud to your community for the first time, as you are gathered together for the celebration of the Eucharist. Imagine Jesus is right next to you as you hear these words, but only you can see Him.
- What would you say to Him? Speak to Him from your heart, and allow Him to speak to you, about why He chose you.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish 