Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
The story of the woman at the well is a story of freedom, even transformation. But not, as far too many interpreters assume, from a life of immorality to one of morality. I do not think the Samaritan woman is a prostitute. I don’t even think that she has a shady past. I don’t think Jesus forgives her. Rather, I think he calls her not to repentance but to life-giving faith. The line that has been, in my opinion, misinterpreted throughout much of the Church’s history is when Jesus says to her, “You have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.” Nowhere does the text tell us her current state is a result of sinful behaviour. Jesus at no point invites repentance or, for that matter, speaks of sin at all. She very easily could have been widowed or have been abandoned or divorced. Five times would be heart breaking, but not impossible. This woman’s story is more tragic than scandalous.
The difficulty with the usual interpretation is that it interrupts and distracts from the rest of the story. Immediately after Jesus describes her past, the woman says, “I see that you are a prophet” and asks him where one should worship. If you believe the worst of her, this is nothing more than a clumsy attempt to change the topic. But see the woman in a more sympathetic light and suddenly we see that Jesus speaks of her past both knowingly and compassionately. She realizes she is in the presence of a prophet. For this reason only does she risk the central question that has divided Samaritans and Jews for centuries: Where is the proper place of worship? This is no awkward dodge or academic diversion. This is a heartfelt question that gets to the core of what separates her from Jesus. He in turn announces that God is doing something totally new in and through him. So when Jesus surprises her with an answer that is both more hopeful and penetrating than she’d expected, she leaves her water jar behind to tell her neighbours about this man.
This nameless woman has pretty much everything stacked against her: she is a Samaritan in this Jewish story, a woman in a male-dominated world, and has lived a challenging and probably tragic life. And yet after her encounter with Jesus she leaves her water jar, perhaps symbolic of all the difficulties of her life, behind to live a new and different life and to share with others what God has done for her.
As we continue our Lenten journey, what, I wonder, holds us back from moving into the future God has prepared for us? What, that is, are the jars we would like to leave behind, trading our past tragedies and present challenges for the living water Jesus offers?
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
Palm crosses: On Wednesday 5 April we shall be making crosses for Palm Sunday. If you have some time to spare in the morning, please join us in the Vergers’ Vestry from 10.00 for a little palm folding (palm oil is good for the skin) along with a chance for a cuppa and a chat. We shall be grateful for any help offered.
Micky Philp writes: If anyone feels able to donate towards the Easter Lilies, the Flower Team would be most grateful. Please give to a member of the team or a verger.
Lincoln City 10k Road Race – Sunday 2 April 2017. Please note there will be restricted access and parking restrictions to the uphill area of Lincoln for the duration of Sunday 2 April 2017 due to the Lincoln City 10km Road Race. The route is the same as last year and finishes on Minster Yard. Traffic flow and parking will be affected.
Passiontide Concert, Saturday 1 April 2017 at 7pm. Join the Lincoln Cathedral Choir as they perform St. John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach in the Nave. This masterpiece is the older of two surviving Passions by Bach, and is described as the more extravagant of the two. It is at times raw and unbridled, accompanied by Manchester Baroque Orchestra and four soloists, this is set to be an incredible celebration of the Passiontide season. Tickets from £8 on sale now www.lincolncathedral.com
Organ Concerts: We are excited to announce our 2017 Organ Concert Series with performances from both local and international organists: 13 May Jeffrey Makinson (Lincoln), 20 May Peter Wright (London), 17 June Colin Walsh (Lincoln) 15 July Alessandro Bianchi (Italy), 16 September Henk Galenkamp (Germany). For further information on the programmes or to purchase tickets please visit www.lincolncathedral.com.
Tickets are priced at £6 per person.
Charter of the Forest Dinner, Friday 22 September 2017: Tickets are now sold out for this event. Due to the high volume of applications, all tables and tickets sold out within 48 hours of bookings being open. We do have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities which guarantee you a table. Please see the following packages
Prize Draw – £350
Décor – £500
Entertainment – £750
Please note that the prices of the sponsorship packages above do not include the cost of the table.
For further information on sponsorship packages please contact Clare Ferrar at events@lincolncathedral.com
2017 Lecture Series: Commencing on Friday 26 May 2017 at 7:30pm. We invite you to Dr Thomas Asbridge’s lecture on the infamous Magna Carta, in the beautiful setting of the Nave. The title of this lecture is ‘Lincoln 1217: The Battle that Shaped History’. The second lecture is brought to you by Lincoln Cathedrals Chancellor, The Reverend Canon Dr Mark Hocknull on Wednesday 28 June 2017 at 7:30pm we welcome you to further your knowledge on Jekyll and Hyde. This lecture will be explore ‘The Civilised and the Savage: What the Victorians Thought about Human Nature’ in the Chapter House.
The Reverend Canon Dr Mark Hocknull will also host the final lecture on Wednesday 5 July 2017 at 7.30pm in the Chapter House. Titled ‘Redeeming Mr Hyde: The Battle Between Good and Evil in us All’. Please visit www.lincolncathedral.com for further information and tickets. Tickets are priced at £6 per person.
Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical – Theatre in the Nave: Commencing on the Tuesday 22 August 2017 at 7:00pm held in the stunning Nave, we are excited to entertain you with the Broadway bestseller ‘Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical’. The finale will be held on Friday 1 September at 7:00pm. There are a limited number of tickets available. Please visit www.lincolncathedral.com for further information and ticket sales. Tickets begin at £22 per person.
Bible Readings
Sunday 19th March 3rd Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist Exodus 17.1-7; Romans 5.1-11; John 4.5-42
Mattins Amos 7.10-end; 2 Corinthians 1.1-11
Evensong Joshua 1.1-9; Ephesians 6.10-20
Sunday 26th March 4th Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist 1 Samuel 1:20-end
Mattins Colossians 3:12-end
Evensong John 19:25b-27
Sunday 2 April 5th Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist Ezekiel 37.1-14; Romans 8.6-11; John 11.1-45
Mattins Jeremiah 31.27-37; John 12.20-33
Evensong Lamentations 3.19-33; Matthew 20.17-end
