We all love a good plot twist. In stories/movies, the use of a plot twist to keep a story engaging always catches us off guard. Sometimes we can tell a plot twist is coming and other times we are left absolutely in shock. For Father Stanley Rother, the plot twist of his life came when he answered God’s call to leave his home state of Oklahoma and live and minister alongside the Tz’utujil people of Guatemala. Rother’s answer to God’s call led him to learn the language, translating Scripture, and standing in solidarity with the community during a time of civil war. Rother was executed in his rectory one night by government soldiers. Father Rother has been officially recognized as a martyr and is on his way to becoming canonized as a saint within the Roman Catholic Church. Rother’s life changed dramatically by the call to be a bearer of the good news.
The Samaritan woman in John 4 also experienced a life-altering moment when Jesus asked her for a drink of water. She likely didn’t expect much from the encounter with Jesus, and especially not a conversation that would affirm her sacred worth, invite her into deep discipleship, and equip her as a bearer of the good news. Jesus met her in the middle of her story, not with judgment, but with empowerment. Jesus is seeking to do the same for all of us.
As we continue to reflect on our own stories, we may see plot twist moments that changed the course of our lives. Moments of radical grace, love, and acceptance. This Sunday, join us as we explore how Jesus seeks to meet us where we are to transform our lives and the lives of others through us.