Reflection by Kit Allgood-Mellema, Worship Leader
Scriptures: Psalm 95; Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42
08 March 2026, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Yr A
Have you ever experienced being upside down, like hanging by your knees on a tree branch or gym bars? Or doing a cartwheel or handstand? I was never able to pull off any of those moves successfully, let alone gracefully. The sense of being upside down was too disorienting. The idea that up was down and down was up made me feel unsteady, as if I’d lost my anchor. It wasn’t until I was in my late 40’s, with the help and encouragement of a compassionate yoga instructor, along with a very sturdy wall, that I was able to go into a supported headstand pose and stay upside down for a few moments. It was still disorienting at first, but I gradually became comfortable with the position, and I grew to like the pose. But let’s face it – upside down is exactly that, upside-down!
Several weeks ago, I joined an online Compline Service and Prayer Vigil organized by the Episcopal Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy in response to the increasing violence in Minneapolis. Minnesota Bishop Craig Loya, in his reflection, spoke of a time two thousand years ago when a man called Jesus began to teach a radical new way of life, following a way of love, mercy and justice, a way of seeing everyone as beloved children of God. Together, Bishop Loya told us, Jesus and his followers turned the world upside down.
In today’s gospel reading we heard some examples of Jesus turning the world upside down. On his way to Galilee after meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus had to travel through Samaria, a land long separated from the rest of the Jewish kingdom by political, cultural and religious differences. While resting by himself at midday at Jacob’s well outside the city of Sychar, Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman, asking her for a drink. This was so far outside the norms that even the woman herself challenged Jesus – she was a Samaritan and a woman, both forbidden contacts. The world was starting to turn upside down! But once that started, there was no stopping either Jesus or the woman, as they began a deep and lengthy conversation about worship and spiritual life, an exchange that led to the woman realizing the man at the well was indeed the Messiah she’d heard of.
And the world continued to turn upside down. When the disciples arrived, they were shocked – you might say they were disoriented – but they did not challenge Jesus. The woman herself did something even more extraordinary – she ran back into the city to share the news and bring all the others, the entire city, to meet the Messiah, and as she spoke, they believed her. The people of Sychar asked Jesus to stay, offering hospitality to one who should have turned away, but Jesus agreed and stayed two days. The people were willing to accept something new, uplifting and exciting, something that fed their souls and showed them what life could be when the world they knew was turned upside down.
John didn’t name the Samaritan woman, and we don’t hear of her again in our gospels. But our sisters and brothers in the Eastern churches continued to turn the world upside down. They embraced this woman as a true apostle and named her – a vital step in recognizing the woman who was one of the first evangelists. Her name became Photini, ‘the enlightened one.’
I don’t know if Jesus would have called what he was doing ‘turning the world upside down,’ but his message of love and justice and mercy, of a life beyond hunger and thirst and need was beginning to spread and create transformation. People were ready and willing for life to change. It was frightening and disorienting, but the vision of that transformed world and Jesus’s words and actions were the support they needed to go on.
All of us at one time or another have had our worlds turned upside down. Maybe it was a time when you met that one special person, or when you landed your dream job, or sold your artwork or patented your invention. Maybe it was a time of loss and sadness – you lost the job or suffered the loss of a loved one or received an unexpected medical diagnosis. Maybe it was an upside-down event that affected a great many people – a natural disaster with impacts felt around the world, a viral pandemic, armed conflict or a human created famine. Many of these are moments that often happen ‘to us,’ brought on by events or happenings outside our control.
But we ourselves can be the source of those upside-down moments, bringing hope, joy and change to others near and far. Let me ask you: if you had the opportunity to ‘turn the world upside down,’ what would it look like? What would it feel like? Where would you begin? How would you begin? What would your anchor be?
I hope you have time in the coming days to ponder these questions. Your upsidedown moment doesn’t have to be big or earth-shattering, and you don’t have to do it alone. Photini – Because we need to use her name! – took a small step by returning to the city and sharing the news, but look at the results! An entire city opening its arms in welcome, the people opening their hearts and minds to the Spirit and the Word. And now think of all the other gospel stories of ordinary people willing to step out and embrace an upside-down world, taking a chance to bring hope and love and support to their families, friends and communities in need.
Here at St. Peter’s, as our congregation navigates our path forward in a world so full of change and upside-down moments that happen with mind boggling speed, maybe it’s time to pause and explore together how we can meaningfully turn the world upside down in the spirit of love, mercy, hope and justice. If that sounds like a task too big to tackle, remember we don’t have to do it alone. We have Jesus, our compassionate teacher and our sturdy wall to guide and support us throughout our own loving actions. We can do it together, with love and compassion and support for each other and the world.
Thanks be to God!