As I listen to today’s Gospel and the familiar story of the Woman at The Well, I can picture her excitement and energy after realizing that she was talking to the Christ himself. I see her running, as quickly as she can, back to her town and literally accosting her townsfolk with her story. The Gospel tells us: Many Samaritans of that town believed in him on the strength of the woman's words of testimony. Notice, however, that it says “many”. It does not say “all”. In spite of the woman’s excitement and personal testimony, there were still those who could not make their own leap of faith. Was it because of the woman’s reputation? Was it because Jesus was not a Samaritan? Was it because they did not want to put forth the effort of conversion? The Gospels are silent and so we are left to our own ponderings on the subject. But it gives me a clearer perspective of my own efforts to share the Good News of Jesus with others. In my mind, it’s as clear as day that a relationship with Jesus and community in the Church is incredibly important and critical to my wellbeing. And yet, in spite of my personal excitement, not all of those who hear my story are moved. Is it my reputation? Is it the reputation of the Church in the World? Is it because they do not want to put forth the effort of conversion? Most times I never know. Although we never hear of the Samaritan woman again in the scriptures, I want to believe that she remained faithful her whole life. In spite of the tribulations of her life, she (literally) found Jesus. And once we know Jesus, it’s awfully tough to let him go, isn’t it? I imagine her telling her story over and over again until she was old and frail. How many came to know Jesus as a result of her testimony? The answer to that is irrelevant, just as the answer to that question is irrelevant in my own life. It matters not the number of people who say ‘yes” to Jesus as a result of my testimony. What matters, is that I shared my testimony. Every Day.