Is Peace Possible?
Dear Sutton and Savannah,
Which people in your life do you find fascinating or intriguing? Have you ever wondered why? What inner part of you is being enlivened by their personality? If you have minimized that part of you, maybe give it some attention this week. You might find that there is a fascinating and intriguing part of you that is just waiting to be heard.
Conversely, which people in your life do you find irritating or triggering? You probably think you know why. But consider what inner part of you is being triggered by their personality or actions. Is there, by chance, an inner part that has similar attributes to that which is outwardly frustrating in others? Maybe give it some attention this week. You might find there is a wounded part of you that just wants to be acknowledged.
-Dad
Inside Out Lectionary Letters
Year A - 3rd Sunday in Lent (Texts, Art, Hymns)
Readings for March 8, 2026
Exodus 17:1-7 / Psalm 95 / Romans 5:1-11 / John 4:5-42
Summary of John 4:5-42
Jesus travels through Samaria and stops at Jacob’s well near the town of Sychar, where he encounters a Samaritan woman drawing water at midday. What begins as a simple request for a drink becomes a layered conversation about “living water,” worship, identity, and truth. Jesus reveals knowledge of her personal history without condemnation and speaks of a time when worship will no longer be confined to sacred locations but rooted in spirit and truth. The woman leaves her water jar and tells others in her town, and many Samaritans come to believe through her testimony and through their own encounter with Jesus.
Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul
There is so much in this passage. Where do you begin? Read it again and pick just one thing on which to reflect. If I had to pick just one, it would be the statement of the author in verse 9: The Jews have nothing in common with the Samaritans (also translated, the Jews don’t associate with the Samaritans). Why? Well, tell me how much time you have. This animosity has been fermenting for 700 years, ever since the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. And there is probably enough anger and hurt for it to last another 700. They are each other’s “scape goat.” They are each other’s shadow side.
Imagine, for a moment, how you like to be seen by others. Now, what are the stories or actions, thoughts or attitudes, that would ruin that reputation if anyone found out. That’s the stuff we push down, fight, try to ignore, keep in secret and pray to God that it never slips out. This is also the stuff that we project onto others. We vilify another culture, political party, neighborhood, race, family member, or religious tradition. The outward divide mirrors the inward disconnect with the shadow side. And there will be wars and ruminations of war outwardly as long as the inward battle is ignored.
This weekend the US and Israel engaged in war with Iran. The conversation typically centers around nuclear capacity, economic stability, or national security. And, these are important issues. But I would contend that these cataclysmic actions are taken by men and women whose every decision is affected by their inner wounds, unresolved issues and conflicted identity. Inner anger becomes outward hostility. Inner shame becomes outward cynicism. Inner neglect becomes outward entitlement. Inner belittling becomes outward bullying. Inner pain becomes outward aggression.
Jesus offers a different way. He steps into the gender divide, the economic divide, the cultural divide, the religious worship divide and speaks of a new way. He brings the hidden shadow parts of the Samaritan woman to the forefront and holds them with respect, kindness and love. He exposes the wounds, not to exploit, but to heal.
Peace doesn’t come by force, coercion or destruction. Surrender or detente might, but not peace. Peace comes when one person allows the inmost parts of oneself to be acknowledged, accepted and transformed by love. And then outward peace becomes a possibility.