I recently attended a pub night at a local extended care center. I companion a senior to this affair on a weekly basis. This last Wednesday was dedicated to Mardis Gras. Salty hors d’oeuvres were distributed to all the patrons. I asked for a glass of water and that had me thinking about the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. I pondered again upon those words of Jesus, "If you knew, who it was, that was asking you for a drink, you would be asking me for water" (paraphrased)

Who is it that is asking for water in our world and in our Church? Who is that water?

All who thirst for living bread and living water in the world and in the Church are asking for a drink.

The Christ who dwells in his followers are the water. Naturally, this is to be all of us who are baptized into Christ. It is all of us ordinary people. Pope Francis would endorse this wholeheartedly, as he is apparently offended at being considered a "superpope". While I understand his position, he must understand that it is because all of us, in the church, and in the world, need water…..the water that only Christ can give…and Pope Francis….is an example of the Catholic Christian who provides access to that water. We are all just so delighted and relieved for the water that Francis is….

Yes, it has been rightly said, that Francis needs to be stronger about the issue of clerical sexual abuse, but, the excitement about him is profound and points to a global need for God.

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