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Third Sunday of Lent

February 27, 2005

Reflection prepared by Sister Kathy Bilskie, OSB

Readings:

• Exodus 17:3-7

• Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

• John 4:5-42 (or short form 4:5-15, 19-26, 39, 40-42)

Opening Prayer:  Loving God, Pour the living water of faith upon us all. Let this water bring us to a deeper union with You.  Amen.

Reflection:  In the Gospel story, the Samaritan woman comes in search of that which will lessen her thirst. She meets Jesus, who initiates a conversation with her, as He, too, looks for water. Even while Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for something, He offers her a greater gift. 

As we read this familiar story, we can sometimes become distracted with its length and wonder why it takes the woman so long to understand what Jesus is offering. Yet the passions of faith and love are awakened much faster in the woman at the well than in our own lives at times. Jesus begins the conversation and the relationship with her, just as Jesus is always the One who initiates the relationship with us. Jesus speaks to her heart, and she responds with all truthfulness and openness. Jesus does not always find the same guilelessness and sincerity in all of us. 

Faith is always a gift, freely given. Nothing we do will ever merit this gift, but God enters our lives and invites us to accept this gracious offering. Each person is free to choose his or her response to God’s initiative. Accepting faith means more than an intellectual decision; true faith thrusts us into an intimate friendship with God. 

With its powerful message of faith as gift, the Catholic Church chooses the third Sunday of Lent for a special blessing for those people preparing for Baptism at Easter time. Just as Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman and offered to satisfy her thirst, so He has initiated a relationship with the catechumens (unbaptized) and is offering to satisfy their thirst through Baptism and an ongoing relationship with the Divine. Like the woman, the catechumens have the option to accept the gift or not. Thus, the Church, on this Sunday, prays for their protection from all evil and freedom from sin.  As we pray for the catechumens, we also recognize our own need to be freed from evil and its effects. 

Reflection Questions:

• How am I responding to God’s initiatives in my life?  

• How am I supporting my relationship with God? 

• How am I living out my love of God?

Prayer:

God of truth and openness, help me respond to Your love and care with the same sincere and loving heart as the woman at the well. Grant me the wisdom and joy she evidenced as I respond to Your invitation to relationship. 

Our Father