But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one speaking with you.”

I read this and get the feeling that Jesus is tired of everyone asking, "Where should I pray? What should I say?" as if there is a formula for the right words and actions that will magically make our prayer more pleasing to God. As if we use incense because God likes the smell of that better than the smell of roses or as if we usually avoid drums and electric guitars during Mass because God is just really more of a piano kind of guy.

The purpose of liturgy isn't to find a scientific equation for the physical actions that look prettiest to God. The purpose of liturgy is to draw our hearts and minds closer to Him, to focus our attention on Him and to help us worship Him. God would much rather have our hearts than any amount of incense. Music and incense and formal attire and formulaic words are not what we are offering to God during Mass. What we are offering, the one thing He really desires, is ourselves. He offers Himself to us and for us, and in return, we offer ourselves to Him. The rest of that stuff is just the means by which we offer ourselves. It is what orients our mind towards Him and helps us to lift up our hearts and souls.

God is Spirit. And to worship Him, we must worship in Spirit. We should become like God to worship God. Our imitation of Him is a profound form of worship. We offer ourselves as He first offered Himself.

I guess the woman senses that Jesus is at least a prophet by this point, and she is eager to show her own knowledge. I know the Messiah is coming, and He will tell us everything.

Jesus is very direct with her. Other times, with His disciples especially, He makes people guess, or answer questions ("Who do people say that I am?"). But He does not do that here. The woman professes her belief that the Messiah is coming, and Jesus replies, "I am he." He is the Messiah, come for all people, since He did not tell her, "But you are a Samaritan." He does not hide the truth from her, because He has come out of love for her and every single human, even the Samaritans.

I'm praying for you!

:)