FACTS VERSE (8:20) – Elizabeth Taylor was a Golden Age icon that became a Hollywood star at the age of just 12 when she appeared in 1944’s National Velvet. Elizabeth had made her film debut several years previously and went on to have an unmatched career in the industry that lasted for several decades before she eventually decided to retire from acting. Over the course of the actress’s career, she turned in several iconic performances, with some of her most classic films being Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and BUtterfield 8.
Woman at the Well
3rd Sunday of Lent (A)
The story of the woman at the well resonates with the life of Elizabeth Taylor, who was a woman who made a name for herself in Hollywood due to her beautiful appearance and many marriages. Though she was praised for her acting skills, her personal life was marred by various controversies and failed marriages, leaving her labeled as one of the most unstable celebrities of her time.
Using the titles of seven of Liz Taylor’s films, here is a summary of what we just heard in today’s Gospel:
The woman who came to draw water at Jacob’s well may well have believed that on this day she would have her “Place in the Sun” (1951), for she sees a man who happens to be “The Only Game in Town” (1970). But the man she meets is NOT a helpless “Sandpiper” (1965) who needs attention, but rather a “Giant” (1956) on Israel’s religious landscape. He is the Messiah, her savior, and her encounter with him would be unlike any other.
Jesus knows all about how she lured five men into destructive marriages, and yet He’s not “Afraid of [this] wolf” (1966). In fact, when He reveals to her that he knows all about her past relationships I wonder if she felt like “A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958).
Yet, to her credit, she stuck with him and discovered that “Love is better than ever” (1952) after listening to Jesus and his proposal.
Thus, in today’s Gospel, Jesus has a conversation with a woman who had a craving and it wasn’t for water. He was speaking with, the Elizabeth Taylor of Sychar, if you will.
But, what exactly was Jesus DOING? What were his intentions? In the Old Testament, people met their future spouse at wells. That’s where Isaac met Rebecca, where Jacob met Rachel, and Moses met his wife. Thus, in a sense, what Jesus did was propose to the woman, asking her to be his bride, figuratively speaking.
This is not as scandalous as it may appear, as long as we understand “bride” not in a physical, but a spiritual sense––in the same way, that the church considers herself to be the Bride of Christ; or in the manner nuns and religious sisters believe that they are mystically betrothed to Christ.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor was born in London, England in 1932 and moved to the US when World War II broke out. She began her entertainment career at the age of 10 and achieved stardom at 12 with her role in National Velvet. Taylor continued working successfully as an actor throughout her adult years and won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1960. She had eight marriages and numerous love affairs, which often created scandal and tabloid fodder. Later in life, Elizabeth focused on philanthropy and created the Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation. The beloved Hollywood star passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.
Unlike all the characters of the men who co-starred with Taylor, Jesus held his ground.He was always in control, and never yielded to temptation. In other words, she did not seduce him. He seduced her. (Remember, We are speaking of eternal life here). Jesus wanted to give her the best, and like Richard Burton, was able to give this woman at the well the most amazing set of jewels imaginable.
Just as a husband’s desire is to adorn his bride with jewelry, Jesus wants to give the woman and us “living water.” Let me explain. The Greek word that Jesus uses for “water” comes from an Arabic word meaning “luster” and “splendor” which is used in describing the finest jewels. Just as one could say that “living” or “flowing” water is nature’s jewelry, accenting the beauty of the landscape, it is the SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH which are its JEWELS, where the Holy Spirit demonstrates for us the Love of God.
This is what St. Paul is referring to in the 2nd reading when he says, “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
That spirit is meant to permeate every aspect of our lives from our birth to our death. Thus, it is an encounter with Christ in the sacraments which is what we are really thirsting for. It’s not the money, diamond necklaces, fame, power, or any other addiction people may have. Unfortunately, whenever we read the headlines, how someone has caused scandal, OR when we look at our own dark sins, for some, the church and its sacraments may lose their luster.
One of the many things that can lead good people to become addicts is poor self-esteem. It was sad to listen to Elizabeth Taylor once say:
“I don’t like my voice,” I don’t like the way I look. I don’t like the way I move. I don’t like the way I act, period!”
The GOOD NEWS, though, is that no matter what we don’t like about ourselves, no matter what we don’t like about our church there is still a splendor in the sacraments, and a splendor in our hearts, that was worth Jesus dying for!
