Bible Walking: Water Cooler Gossip
For many people of the world, drawing water from a community well is a daily ritual. It binds the community together, providing a place for social interaction. Even in modern workplaces we refer to break room conversations as water cooler gossip, even around the coffee pot.
There are two traditional locations for where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen to bear the Messiah. The first location is her home, now the Franciscan Basilica of the Annunciation.
The second location is the main well in Nazareth where the Orthodox church believes Mary heard the news while drawing water. I don't know who may be right, the gospel writers are not specific as to the location, but I'm sure Mary made the nine minute walk to the local well almost every day if not multiple times per day.
Most of us in the modern world take water for granted. It flows from a tap INSIDE our homes. We do not plan ahead, spending half an hour or more collecting water for the day. And while the passage written by Luke describing the announcement of Jesus' birth is not location dependent, it is comforting to learn that Mary's life was in many respects ordinary; walking almost a mile round trip everyday to carry water back to her house.
Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Walking: 1 mile
Key Questions:
 |
| Women with jars at well in Nazareth Photo courtesy of OSU Special Collections |
The second location is the main well in Nazareth where the Orthodox church believes Mary heard the news while drawing water. I don't know who may be right, the gospel writers are not specific as to the location, but I'm sure Mary made the nine minute walk to the local well almost every day if not multiple times per day.
Most of us in the modern world take water for granted. It flows from a tap INSIDE our homes. We do not plan ahead, spending half an hour or more collecting water for the day. And while the passage written by Luke describing the announcement of Jesus' birth is not location dependent, it is comforting to learn that Mary's life was in many respects ordinary; walking almost a mile round trip everyday to carry water back to her house.
The Challenge
Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Walking: 1 mile
Key Questions:
- Where did the annunciation take place?
- What would it have been like for Mary to share the news of her pregnancy?
- How would you have reacted to Mary's announcement?
- How do you react to hearing shocking news?
Comments
Post a Comment