In the month of September, we consider two encounters during Christ's public life and the new horizons that they opened: the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:10) and Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10).
1. Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well... There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink" (Jn 4:6-7). Am I aware that Jesus is also in my path, making himself easy to find (Christ is passing by, 156), so as to give me a drink? Do I realize that he is by my side in my family life, in my work, in my moments of relaxation, both when I am alone and when I am with others?
2. The Samaritan woman said to Jesus: "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw" (Jn 4:15). Do I drink of the living water of Christ's Word, with the desire to know him better every day and love him more? As I read or listen to the Gospel, am I trying to discover what God wants to tell me?
3. "If you knew the gift of God!" (Jn 4:10). Does it make me I happy to accompany my friends towards a personal encounter with Christ? What am I doing to follow the Holy Spirit's inspiration, to fan out in order to reach all souls (Furrow, 193)?
4. Does contemplating Jesus' gentleness with the Samaritan woman lead me to foster love for my family and to have an attitude of respect and understanding for them? Do I fill my heart with good desires, affections and feelings, so as to cultivate that love and to guard it in moments of difficulty, temptation or doubt?
5. Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today (Lk 19:5). Do I look forward to welcoming God into my family life? Do I try to ensure that my home reflects a Christian lifestyle (charity, justice, poverty, magnanimity...)?
6. Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold (Lk 19:8). Am I generous in putting what I am and what I have at the service of others? What am I doing to encourage the same generosity in my children, even from when they are little?
7. Do I try to thank God for giving me the possibility of caring for others, contributing my talents, time, money...? Do I actively seek detachment from whatever hinders me from following the Lord freely?
8. Do I try to focus on what is essential in my economic and professional circumstances, and avoid giving too much importance to image, to "having" rather than "being"? Could I ask the Lord for more serenity and trust in the beginning of my professional career?