Jesus' weariness...a prelude to the passion..."

Ave Maria! In his Angelus message of yesterday, 3/27, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the meeting of Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well. Referring to St. Augustine's commentary on this Gospel passage, a portion of which I posted here, the Holy Father said that "Jesus' weariness, sign of his true humanity, can be seen as a prelude to the passion, with which he brought the work of our redemption to completion."

Quoting St. Augustine, Pope Benedict noted that Jesus "had thirst of the woman's faith, " adding "as he has for the faith of all of us. God the Father sent him to quench our thirst for eternal life, giving us his love, but asks our faith for bestowing this gift. Love's omnipotence always respects man's freedom; it knocks at his heart and awaits his answer with patience."

"Each one of us can identify ourselves with the Samaritan woman: Jesus awaits us, especially during this season of Lent, to speak to our hearts, to my heart," the Holy Father observed. "Let us pause a moment in silence, in our room, or in a church, or in a place apart. Let us listen to the voice that says: 'If you knew the gift of God.' May the Virgin Mary help us not to miss this opportunity on which our true happiness depends."

As a hart longs for flowing streams,
so longs my soul for thee, O God.
My soul thirsts for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?
~Psalm 42:1-2