The Well of Life George Chevrot
Scepter Publishers
2020
142 pages
ISBN: 9781594173493
This is another in the series of slightly abridged versions of classic works by George Chevrot (1879-1958) which Scepter have been re-publishing. It centres on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well of Sichar and contains many amazing spiritual insights which leads one to recommend it very highly.
He literally takes every sentence in St John’s narrative (Chapter 4, 4-43) and expands on them, getting behind the beautiful picture painted by the evangelist. In the first chapter, the author dwells on the fact that Jesus was tired – how grateful we should be that He shared our human condition and what a fabulous example for us when we finding ourselves in that situation.
Then begins the analysis of the providential encounter between Jesus and the woman. Naturally she had no expectation of what would unfold though, of course, Jesus did. It’s a lesson for us in our daily lives when we have many meetings with others. These may be brief but always with possibilities of providing others with the help they need. Chevrot closes this chapter with the exhortation that we resolve never to let those who approach us go away the same as when we met them.
Jesus breaks the silence when she brings her bucket up from the well asking her for a drink. The subsequent dialogue leads to a complete transformation in the woman’s life. He penetrates into her soul and leads to a conversion, not by any polemics or lectures, but simply by asking gentle penetrating questions. Chevrot’s ability to take us behind the scene and the text is masterful. Not only does it lead to the woman’s conversion, but she becomes an instrument in the conversion of the townspeople.
Other ideas which emerge are the knowledge of the gravity of sin, but also the importance for us of confessing our sins. The Samaritan woman was led by Jesus to the discovery of her guilt but also encouraged on the way to salvation. Jesus also dealt beautifully with the prejudice between Jews and Samaritans: He very delicately said that while salvation is from the Jews, the hour is coming when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.
Chevrot touches on may other ideas that emerge from the event – Christian optimism, our need to be sowers and reapers, witnesses to Christ who is, in the words of the Samaritan woman’s fellow townspeople, the saviour of the world.
About the Author: Pat Hanratty
Pat Hanratty taught Science/Chemistry in Tallaght Community School from its inception in 1972 until he retired in 2010. He was the school’s first Transition Year Co-ordinator and for four years he had the role of home School Community Liaison Officer.