Full of grace and truth – January 23, 2026

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35; Gen. 11:27-12:8; Heb. 7:1-17; John 4:16-26

Salted peanuts and a cold Coca-Cola. Raspberries and dark chocolate. Peas and carrots…honestly, I’m on the fence regarding this last combination. Nevertheless, many see these foods pairing well together, better as a duo than encountered individually. Maybe you can think of people in your life that “pair well” with you – your spouse, best friend, sibling, neighbor, or someone else with whom you have resonance. We rarely happen upon those people who are a right “fit” for us. Those who meet this level of connection are probably deeply honest with us, so that we can be more honest. And we return the favor, building trust and growing toward better versions of ourselves.

This is the lens that I bring to today’s gospel exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. The Son of God – the Word made flesh living among us – speaks words of deep truth to the woman who is open to understanding the gift of living water he offers her. He says, “[T]hose who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) The woman agrees; that is what she wants.

Jesus – full of the perfect pairing of grace and truth – speaks even more honesty to her. This water is one of holistic nourishment. It affects one’s whole self, so he tells her to bring her husband to the waters, too. She says she has no husband, being technically honest and hedging on the truth. The savvy rabbi notes that she is right – with no current husband, five in the past, and a live-in love interest to whom she is not married. The woman’s responds, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet.”

Recently I read some wisdom around Jesus’ divine combination of grace and truth: “Grace without truth becomes empty affirmation. Truth without grace becomes crushing and cold. Jesus brings both at the same time, perfectly and fully.”

I appreciate that Jesus mingles grace and truth. As such, he does not exclude the woman at the well from the living waters of renewal because of who she is (a Samaritan) or who she loves (a lot of men). He extends grace to her with compassion and openness. He honors her voice and choice. To live anew in the restorative grace extended, Jesus signals that a change is needed for right relationship with God, herself, and her community. He is honest with the woman, challenging her to be deeply honest, too. It alters her life. In fact, John tells us that she leaves her water jar at the well as she rushes to the city to tell all who will listen, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” Her words draw others to Jesus. The living waters of grace and truth change her. Jesus – perfectly paired with her at the well in the noon hour that day in Sychar – challenges her to grow into a better version of herself.

This is what God longs for as we walk in faith alongside Jesus. It is not always easy to hear the wise counsel of truth – and yet it is delivered with God’s grace, with care and love. In that way, we can trust that the guidance is meant to shape toward wholeness. Jesus is inviting each of us to meet him at the well, or upon the mountain, or in the pew. Given the chance to spend a moment being perfectly paired with Jesus, how might we receive the divine gifts of grace and truth from God’s Son, who came to show us that his heavenly Father’s love is intended for each of us?

With prayers for you this day,

Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

What does it mean to you that Jesus is full of grace and truth? Spend a few moments praying about that. Journal about how you see the goodness of God’s grace and truth at work in your life. Where is Jesus being revealed to you?

Pray for the courage of the Holy Spirit to be guided toward wholeness.