The story of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well echoes John's Gospel because it reflects his spiritual teaching. The darkness the woman experienced, her hidden longing for liberation and fulfillment, the living water he offered, the coming of true light into her life, worship in spirit and truth, and going out to others with love are discussed elsewhere in this Gospel. Even in the prologue, this theme is implicitly explained. This Gospel repeatedly speaks of the divine invitation given to all of us to leave the darkness of sin's bondage and enter into his light. If we accept his invitation, he assures us that we will encounter the Father in Jesus, that we, like the woman at the well, will receive the water that alone can quench our thirst. Every human being is tenderly invited, like the Samaritan woman, to drink the living water with the promise that it will flow within them to eternal life. The life promised to the woman is the transcendent inner life of God himself. This explains why those touched by this light experience a new love and concern for others. The Samaritan woman's conversion ends with her leaving Jesus to bring the good news to the people of Sychar. Hopefully, the reflections on the readings in this book can awaken our awareness of the water of life that flows to each of us from the heart of Jesus.