Fifth Sunday of Pascha: The Samaritan Woman
Categories: hymns, feast-days
Date: 05 May 2007 23:47:04
Today we commemorate the Samaritan woman (who, according to Tradition, is named Photina (Svetlana) and was martyred under Nero, as were her sons [Victor (named Photinus) and Joses]; and her sisters [Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriake]. The Gospel reading for today is from John 4:5-42 [that link takes you to the new, to me, Orthodox Church in the Philippines site -- there is also a page on that site detailing the work of various churches in the Philippines, as well as the poverty and need many residents find themselves in. Pray for them please].
Continuing the theme from last week (The Paralytic), we recall the living water and the recognition of Jesus as the Christ. Through the Samaritan Woman we are also reminded of worshipping God 'in spirit and truth' (John 20:23-24), and the gift of salvation offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike. Thanks be to God.
It being May 6, we commemorate Righteous Job the Long-Suffering. While I've not suffered as Job, I am complaining a bit as this flu doing the rounds is rather annoying and keeping me laid up in bed with a dull headache. Thanks be to God I'm not put to any further tests as I doubt I have the faith or wisdom of Job.
As The Prologue of Ohrid (lives of saints, hymns, reflections and homilies for every day of the year) states, "Job is considered the model of patient endurance of every suffering that God sends upon us, and a type of the suffering of the Lord Jesus."
The Prologue also contains this hymn:
Tell me, brother, what you are able to endure,
And how much of a man you are, I will tell you.
Job the righteous rich man and all-glorious
By Satan, on a dunghill was thrown,
And with pus and sores covered,
To dogs and to men, a horrifying sight!
Whatever he had, in a day perished
Except faith and except patience.
But with the weapon of faith and patience,
Job, the horrible Satan overcame.
The uneven struggle, God looked on,
To the righteous one, victory He imparted.
With victory, all other riches,
And the envious devil shamed.
Righteous Job and Holy Martyr Photina, pray for us!