This week Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, John 4:5-42. It is a story of a non-believer coming to belief. It happens around noon which tells us that the woman is most likely some kind of outcast in her community because people would normally have come to get water earlier in the day. It is surprising that Jesus would speak with her because there was deep division between Jews and Samaritans.
We learn about the woman’s faith journey as she sees Jesus first as a Jew (4:9); then she says, “I can see that you are a prophet” (4:19); next she accepts him as the Messiah (4:26); finally, she and her neighbors confess, “We know that this is truly the savior of the world” (4:42). She grows in her faith through her encounter with Jesus.
Jesus uses water to describe what he will do for those who believe in him. “Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus quenches our thirst with water that leads us to life everlasting.
Consider: For what are you thirsting? How can Jesus be living water for me?
The First Reading, Ex 17:3-7, is about the Israelites unhappy with the lack of water in the desert. God provides water for them. Psalm 95 echoes that story and reminds us that, “If today you hear [God’s] voice, harden not your hearts.” Consider: Are there areas in my life in which I have become hardened to God’s voice? Have I lost hope in my prayers? The Romans reading, 5:1-2, 5-8, reminds us that “Hope does not disappoint.” The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Consider: How can I stir up the hope within me?
Your parish may have special prayers today for those who will be initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil. If possible, get to know these new members of your parish. Add them to your prayers this Lent as they make final preparations to become disciples of Christ through Baptism.
Finally, think about these words from today’s Preface: “For when [Jesus] asked the Samaritan woman for water to drink, he had already created the gift of faith within her and so ardently did he thirst for her faith, that he kindled in her the fire of divine love.” Consider: Might these words apply to my relationship with Christ? Has he already created the gift of faith in me? Does he thirst for my faith? Does he kindle in me the fire of divine love?