3rd Sunday of Lent (A)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections: (From) liturgical years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

March 23, 2014
Liturgical readings
Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
John 4:5-42

"A fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life."

The Samaritan woman at the well. It is only in John's gospel that we find this gospel story: a Samaritan woman asking Christ about "living water". Many are familiar with this story, but what does the gospel want us to see? Christ revealed the truth about "a fountain within [us], leaping up to provide eternal life." What is this fountain within us believers and which Jesus was offering to the Samaritan woman? What was Jesus referring to for the woman at the well and for us now listening to the gospel?

Bible scholar MacRae says that "living water" represents three truths and realities: revelation, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit. If you look at the Litany of the Holy Spirit and familiarize yourself with the prayer, you will notice that one title given to the Third Person of the Trinity is, "Source of heavenly water." So Jesus in the gospel of John was teaching the Samaritan woman in the gospel (and to us now) to seek God within and above all things - to seek Him as the "Source of heavenly water".

There are many desolating events happening in the world today - affecting many families, and endangering the lives of the sick, the elderly and children. Though some may not be intensely affected by these events, we can't help but sense and feel the desolation these events give. We know of family, friends, family members of friends and co-workers, who have suffered from desolating events: tsunamis, earthquakes, violence, displacements, and all sorts of crises. Not one day passes without news from a familiar place in the nation or the world. But consolation can be obtained amidst all these desolating news. The gospel reveals this. Seeking God and doing our best in any situation will obtain for us "living water" - God extending His hand and saving us from negativity and desolation.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
The Lord is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides (Psalm 95)
This hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5)
The Lord said: Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty (John 4)