This gospel is interesting because of what it doesn't say. The real story is often behind the text. Jesus is tired and hot. It's midday. The well is the place where the women go very early to get the water for the household for the day.

Carrying water is heavy work. The cool of dawn is the only time to do it. So why is she there at the hottest time of the day? And why is this lady so shocked that Jesus speaks to her, let alone asks for a drink?

She's there because that's the only time she can go without being picked on. She is an outcast. Firstly, she's a Samaritan, and Jews and Samaritans are enemies, so anyone Jewish would treat her with contempt. Secondly she has broken the law. She has left her first husband and has been with a number of men since. She is living outside the law. She is suffering because she is not accepted by the others. She is an outcast.

When Jesus speaks to her she is shocked. Men do not speak to women in this society, especially Samaritan women. Jesus is quite clearly a Jew. Jesus asks her for a favout.

This short encounter changes the woman's life forever. She is given courage. She speaks to the other people in the town about this stranger who knew everything about her, who spoke gently with her, who offered her a new way of living. This new beginning happens when she least expects it - and we can do this to others as well. By saying 'hello' to people when we pass them in the corridor, or by befriending a new student to school, we can give them a new beginning which could shape their life. The chance to change direction happened to this woman because she was able to reflect with honesty on her situation; she is able to see her faults, and is willing to take the risk and change her attitude.

We are all deeply hurt at times. We have all experienced times when we are shunned by others. We all have our secret insecurities or failings that we try to hide from this world. Constantly we are frightened to take a risk because we might get picked on, or we might fail. But the truth is you must fail to truly succeed.

The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman is found in John's Gospel. chapter 4.