Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 8 March 2026, by Revd Phyllis Wong The scripture readings that day was John 4:5-42

Sermon – The Good News: Rooted in Love, Justice and Mercy

Introduction

Good morning, my beloved brothers and sisters! What a profound blessing it is to be back at KUC on this significant Sunday. Today, March 8, 2026, we gather not only in the quiet, reflective journey of Lent but also in global solidarity as we celebrate International Women’s Day.

I retired last year. There is something special about returning to a community that feels like home. Thank you, Pastor Maggie, for your kind invitation to share the Word of God with you all this morning.

Before we open our hearts to the scriptures, let us pray.

Opening Prayer: 

Gracious and Holy God, as the world marks International Women’s Day, we thank You for the diverse and beautiful ways You have created humanity. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit today. May Your Word inspire us, challenge us, and transform us. Help us to lead lives that are authentically rooted in Your Love, Your Justice, and Your Mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Living Water, we pray. Amen.

The Historical Roots of Hostility

Our Gospel reading from John 4:5–42—the famous encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well—is  remarkable in the "Good News" of radical inclusion. To fully appreciate the weight of this story, we must first look at the massive walls Jesus had to climb just to speak to her.

The animosity between Jews and Samaritans was not a simple disagreement; it was a deep-seated, centuries-old resentment that can be traced back to the 5th century B.C. (2 Kings 17). When the imperial power of Assyria conquered North Israel, they resettled the land of Samaria with foreign peoples. Over time, some Jews intermarried with these foreigners. The Jews in the south Israel regarded this descendant as "hybrid"—viewing them as impure, unclean outsiders.

This division deepened into a bitter religious hatred when the Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim. By the time Jesus sat down at that well, Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies who avoided even walking through each other's territory.

Furthermore, social taboos of the time disapproved a Jewish man, especially a Rabbi, from speaking to an unrelated woman in public. By approaching her and asking for a drink, Jesus didn't just break a rule; He dismantled a system of exclusion. He refused to let "the way things have always been" show how He treated a child of God.

The Gospel of Justice and International Women’s Day

Today, as we recognize International Women’s Day, we advocate for a world of gender justice—a world where every woman and girl is treated with equal dignity and granted her fundamental human rights.

Jesus took the initiative in this story. He placed Himself in a vulnerable position by asking for a drink from the Samaritan woman who, by the standards of mainstream society, was an outcast without value. Yet, Jesus accepted her exactly as she was. He offered no judgment; instead, He stood in solidarity with her.

In a world where many women still face systemic barriers—limited legal rights to protect themselves and thus they were easily become victims of the patriarchal system. Jesus’ actions remain revolutionary. He engaged the Samaritan woman in a deep theological discussion about worship. Jesus treated her equal intellectually and spiritually. In a radical act of inclusion, Jesus revealed His identity as the Messiah first to the Samaritan woman. This empowered her to become His first witness, leading her entire town to the Savior. By acknowledging her presence and her voice, Jesus did her justice.

Theological Reflection: A Divine Thirst for Humanity

There is a beautiful, profound mystery at the heart of this encounter. While Jesus proclaims Himself as the giver of "Living Water"—the only water that truly satisfies—He begins by expressing a physical thirst. He, the Source of Life, asks a human being for help.

This reveals a powerful truth: God chooses to need us.

Some may believe that because God is majestic and all-powerful, He has no need for humanity. But the Incarnation—God becoming human in Jesus—proves that there is a sacred, mutual connection between divinity and humanity. When Jesus asked for water, He wasn't just thirsty for a drink; He was thirsting for her acceptance and her faith.

God offers His love freely, but the relationship is mutual. 

As John 1:11–12 reminds us, He came to His own, and many did not receive Him. But to those who did, He gave the power to become children of God. If we do not respond and love God in return, the cycle of redemption remains incomplete in our lives. Our "Yes" to God is the drink of water He thirsts for.

A Witness of Mutual love and Mutual Respect: Mimi’s Story

This theme of mutual love, mutual respect and "living water" is not just found in ancient text; it is a lived reality. Last week, my family and I travelled to Indonesia for a very special "Good News" trip. We went to visit our former domestic helper, Mimi, and her family.

Mimi cared for our small children for eight years in Hong Kong twenty years ago. Even after she returned home, we stayed in close contact because she had become a special part in our family's heart. I am forever grateful for her loving care for our family especially our children. 

Mimi and her husband were overjoyed to receive us. They welcomed us into their modest home, prepared rooms for us, took us out to visit their small farm and museum, and shared an abundance of food and a variety of fresh fruits from their local markets. The food is so yummy, I gained weight after the trip.

As we walked through her village, meeting her neighbors, and seeing the life she has built for her family with their own house and small business. Not only for her own family, she and her husband have built their community by creating space for the young people in the village to gather and rest. I was deeply moved. Reflecting on Jesus and the Samaritan woman, I realized that our two families were witnesses to the same God of LOVE.

Though we are a Christian family and Mimi’s family are devoted Muslims—differing in religion, race, and culture—we found a beautiful common ground in love and mutual respect. We realized that our calling as believers is to minimize differences and overcome the hostilities that the world tries to impose on us.

The Danger of Weaponized Faith

This call to reconciliation is urgent. In our modern world, we often see faith has been used as weapon to justify conflict rather than peace. The recent war against Iran by the USA and Israel has added worries and uncertainty to our troubled world. A report released by an independent journalist Jonathan Larsen last week, he highlighted the dager where military leaders use extreme "end times" or "Armageddon" rhetoric to suggest that war is "God’s divine plan." "Armageddon" refers to the prophesied, ultimate battle between forces of good and evil at the end time. 

This is originating from the Book of Revelation (16:16)

It is a profound misuse of Scripture to use the Bible to sanction violence or war. As followers of Christ, we must uphold the separation of church and state and commit ourselves to the true "Way of Jesus." Our mission is not to trigger a biblical Armageddon (ultimate battle to end the world) but to offer the "Living Water" of reconciliation. In a world thirsting for peace, we must be the ones who refuse to let religion be used as a wall, and worse still, a gun to kill.

Rooted in Mercy: Rethinking the "Sinner"

Finally, let us reconsider the Samaritan woman herself. For centuries, she has been preached about solely as an "immoral" person because of her five husbands. But if we look at the patriarchal system of that time, we will see a different picture.

In Jesus’s time, women could not easily initiate divorce; men, however, could divorce their wives for almost any reason. This woman was likely not a "free" person choosing many partners; she was likely a repeated victim of abandonment and loss. 

 

She was trapped by a society that gave her no control over her own security and destiny.

Jesus saw through the labels the society had placed on her. He made no condemnation of her past. Instead, He accepted her fully and offered her healing for her soul. This is the essence of Divine Mercy. The Good News is that God’s love is not based on our "perfection" but is deeply rooted in Mercy—a mercy that heals our wounds and fills our souls so we can finally stop hiding.

Conclusion: Becoming a Wellspring

The story of the Samaritan woman could be the story of every one of us. It is the story of a person being seen, valued, and restored. As we leave this place today, let us carry these three truths in our hearts:

1. Choose Mercy Over Judgment: take away labels society gives to people. See the heart that is thirsty for belonging and dignity.

2. Break the Walls of Division: Just as Jesus overcome hostility of His day, we must be bridge-builders. In our family, our workplace, and our city, let us live  out our faith for peace, not for conflict.

3. Step Into Our Power: On this International Women’s Day, remember that Jesus chose a marginalized woman to be His first missionary. Remember this, our past, our gender, and our status do not disqualify us —they are exactly where God’s grace is most visible.

May we leave here today refreshed by the Living Water that never runs dry.

In Christ, no wall is too strong to break.

In Christ, no well is too deep to reach.

Closing Prayer

God of Love and Justice,

In this season of Lent, we ask that Your Holy Spirit fill us and lead us. Draw us back to Jesus Christ, who came from heaven to live, to suffer, and to sacrifice for the sake of the whole world.

We thank You for the gift of this "Living Water." Empower us to live transformed lives and to boldly proclaim the Good News of Your love, justice, and mercy. Use us, Lord, to make this world a better place for all Your children.

In the almighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 22 February 2026, First Sunday in Lent by Hope Antone. The scripture readings that day was Pslam 104:14-15, John 2:1-11, Matthew 13:31-32