Sunday, March 12, 2023
READINGS: EX 17:3-7; PS 95:1-2, 6-9; ROM 5:1-2, 5-8; JN 4:5-42
Today’s readings on this third Sunday of Lent present us with the theme of “thirst” and show us that being a devoted and faith filled Catholic can both satisfy our spiritual thirst for Christ and help us to satisfy Christ’s thirst for souls.
Our first reading, from the book of Exodus, begins with the words, “In their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses.” What little faith and lack of trust they show after all God has done to free them from slavery. But Moses cried out to God for help, and sure enough, God provided generously to satisfy their thirst. He continues to provide generously for us these many centuries later.
Our Gospel passage from John recounts the life-changing encounter Christ has with the Samaritan woman at the well beginning with His words to her, “Give me a drink.” Then, He adds, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Christ is speaking the very same words to us today. These two verses encapsulate our call as Catholic Christians. Christ asks us to “give him a drink” by sharing what we have with Him and with others for His sake. Yet, it is Christ Himself who provides the water — the living water that is His grace.
God has chosen to include us in His plan for bringing all people to salvation through Him. We live out our part in His plan as Catholics. This Lent, let us resolve to respond to His call with passion and commitment. Let us do our part to quench His thirst.