Lenten Reflection 2/22

Indian people listen to a speaker, unseen, while they participate in a protest against a new sexual violence law as the parliament convenes in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Activists say the law is inadequate and it only partially followed the recommendations of a government panel set up after the fatal gang rape of a woman in New Delhi led to nation-wide protests. (ALTAF QADRI/AP Photo)

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/02/22/2484902/rape-and-killing-of-3-young-sisters.html#storylink=cpy

The Associated Press reports that a recent abuduction, rape and killing of three young sisters, ages 7, 9 and 11 has again inflamed the people of India to do something about violence against girls and women.  The girls' bodies were found in a community well on February 16, two days after they disappeared from school.  The victims' mother said police did not take the case seriously and did nothing for several days until villagers held protests.  Teams are now mobilizing to find the rapist.

As the World Health Organization says, violence against women is a global phenomenon.  It includes sexual violence, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, femicide and human trafficking.  The health consequences of such violence is long term and far reaching.  It is not only a problem in other countries.  The department of justice has an entire department - the office of violence against women - dedicated to these issues.  This office focuses on the issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence and stalking.  The Center for Women and Families right here in Bridgeport reported recently that an act of domestic violence occurs every 18 seconds in our country.  They also reported that police were called into over 400 domestic violence incidents in Trumbull alone last year.  Last week, on Feb 14, tens of thousands of actions were organized in 207 countries to name this problem in the One Billion Rising campaign.  Women and men all over the world gathered "to come together and express their outrage, and to strike, dance and RISE against violence."  Violence against women seems deeply entrenched in this world - a problem so vast, shocking and painful it numbs us - and causes us to just ignore it or pretend it isn't there.  I hope that I am seeing signs that we are collectively becoming ready to finally face it.

Jesus was sitting at Jacob's well, hot and tired after a long day of travelling.  He had no bucket, so when a Samaritan woman comes to get water, he asks if she can give him a drink.  The woman is shocked.  Why would a fine, upstanding Jew talk to her - a Samaritan woman.  Jews didn't deign to speak to lowly Samaritans, and men certainly didn't talk to lowly women.  On top of it, this particular woman was of ill repute.  She had been with a number of men.  She would have been shunned even by her own people. But Jesus treats her as an equal, and a lively theological discussion ensues. In fact, this woman is the first person Jesus discloses his identity to.

I've always loved the story of the woman at the well.  Jesus sees this woman fully - even her failures and broken parts - and still treats her with dignity and respect.  Jesus offers living water to her- and because of the hardships she has endured in life, she's thirsty and willing to receive it from him.  Jesus does not treat her - or anyone - as an inferior or like a piece of property.  He assures her that she is God's beloved child.  In a land parched and dry with violence, we need this living water more than ever.

(By the way, the morning psalm appointed for Saturday is Psalm 55.  I've always considered that one an important one for anyone who's been abused to pray.)

Readings for today:  Deut. 10:12-22; Heb. 4:11-16; John 3:22-36
Readings for Saturday:  Deut. 11:18-28; Heb. 5:1-10; John 4:1-26
Readings for Sunday:  Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Cor. 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
Elsa is reading The Message translation this year.