Tag Archives: Woman at the well

March 6, 2023

Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of Lent

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Photo by Frans van Heerden on Pexels.com

Here are some of the themes that we find in the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

1st Reading – Exodus 17:3-7

  • In their thirst for water, the people grumble against Moses.
  • At the Lord’s command, Moses takes his staff and strikes a rock, from which water flows and the people are able to drink.

Psalm – 95:1-2,6-9

  • “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
  • Unlike the Israelites who grumbled, we are exhorted to come before the Lord in joyful worship with thanksgiving.

2nd Reading – Romans 5:1-2,5-8

  • Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Gospel – John 4:5-42

  • Jesus, sitting at a well in the town of Sychar in Samaria, encounters a woman and converses with her.
  • Jesus announces that he is the Christ, and the woman tells others about Jesus…and they come to believe that he is the savior of the world.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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March 13, 2017

3rd Sunday of Lent: Thirsting for Living Water

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Study:  Reflect on a time when you felt a deep emptiness in your soul.  Where did you find relief?

Pray:  Is there a longing in your heart right now?  Ask the Lord to touch your life with his grace.

Serve:  Many people are struggling, sometimes lost in destructive distractions; how can you help them?

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Lent

As we enter into the heart of Lent, we encounter two readings that speak of a fundamental human need: to satisfy our thirst.  We have all known moments of thirst, accompanied by the profound satisfaction of a cool drink of water.  The relief is tangible, and the sensation reveals in a direct way how our bodily needs can be fulfilled.

In the first reading the people are grumbling to Moses in their thirst for water.  A miracle is performed by the power of God, and the people once again witness the Lord’s presence in their lives.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is standing by a well and strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman.  Here, however, there is more than just physical thirst; the Lord speaks to her heart and satisfies a deep longing for spiritual life.  In turn, she goes back to the villagers and brings them to Jesus…so that their spiritual thirst might be quenched as well.

Today we reflect on the reality of physical thirst to help us understand the longing in our souls.  What’s missing in our lives?  Do we have an ache, an emptiness that longs to be fulfilled?

There are many temptations and distractions in the world that promise fulfillment: drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, fame, beauty…but all of these ultimately leave us empty.  They are pleasing for a moment, but we long for something lasting.

Jesus Christ is the answer.  The Lord comes to us in our need, knows our sins, and invites us to draw into his grace.  Christ speaks to the deepest longings in our hearts and offers the love, joy and peace that reign supreme in the halls of Heaven.

May we draw close to the Lord today in our need, trusting in his compassion and mercy to quench our spiritual thirst!

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

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