Creating a Space to the Divine within Ourselves

3rd Sunday of Lent: March 12, 2023

Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8; John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42

Jesus with the Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:5-42)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/FLf6ZNlz_5E 

We are in the midpoint of the Lenten Season. As we journey towards Easter, the Third Sunday of Lent is inviting us to look at a number of things that we do in our daily lives. Our journey of life is a constant struggle of forward and backward movement. However, we must take our life at our stride, hoping in the Lord, that He will guide and protect us always. On this Sunday, we are invited to take time off to reflect on repentance, the call for deeper faith, the importance of perseverance, and the power of God's mercy.

1. Becoming a person of life-giving

The story of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:5-42 is a rich narrative that offers many insights and lessons for our spiritual lives. Jesus is thirsty. He is thirsts for souls. Here are a few thoughts on this passage:

a. Breaking down barriers: Jesus crossed cultural and social barriers by engaging in conversation with the Samaritan woman. As a Jewish man, he would have been expected to avoid any interaction with Samaritans, let alone a woman who was drawing water alone. But Jesus intentionally ignored these social conventions and reached out to the woman, treating her with dignity and respect. This reminds us that in our own lives, we should seek to break down barriers of division and prejudice and reach out to those who are different from us with love and compassion.

b. The gift of living water: Jesus offers the woman "living water" that will quench her thirst forever. This is a metaphor for the eternal life that Jesus offers to all who believe in him. We too can receive this gift by placing our trust in Jesus and allowing him to satisfy our deepest spiritual needs.

c. Confession and forgiveness: The woman at the well was a sinner, and Jesus knew this. She had taken fifth man as her husband now. He gently confronted her with the truth about her life and offered her forgiveness and a fresh start. This reminds us that no matter how far we have strayed from God, there is always the opportunity for confession and forgiveness through Christ.

d. True worship: The conversation between Jesus and the woman eventually turns to the topic of worship. Jesus explains that true worship is not about the location or form of worship, but about worshiping in spirit and truth. This tells us that our worship of God should come from the heart and be based on a deep understanding of who God is and what he has done for us.

e. Evangelism and discipleship: The woman at the well becomes a powerful witness for Jesus after her encounter with him. She goes back to her village and tells everyone about the man she has met who has changed her life. This contact is a good lesson to us that as followers of Christ, we are called to share the good news with others and to make disciples of all nations.

Overall, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is a powerful reminder of God's love and grace for all people, regardless of their background or past mistakes. It challenges us to break down barriers and reach out to others with love and compassion, to receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus, and to worship God in spirit and truth.

2. Becoming a person of salvation through faith

The second reading that we have in our liturgy today, Romans 5:1-8 is a powerful passage that speaks to the heart of the Christian faith. For St Paul faith is foundational to reaching eternity. Ultimately it is the Spirit of God that is drawing us toward salvation.

a. The gift of justification: Paul begins by emphasizing that we have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ. This means that through faith in Christ, we are made right with God and are no longer under condemnation for our sins. This is a gift of grace that we receive through faith, and it is the foundation of our hope and peace.

b. The fruits of justification: Paul goes on to describe the fruits of justification, which include peace with God, access to his grace, and the hope of sharing in his glory. This reminds us that justification is not just a legal transaction, but a transformation of our entire lives. It gives us the peace and assurance that we need to face the challenges of life with confidence and hope.

c. The love of God: Paul emphasizes the love of God in this passage, noting that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This is a profound reminder of the depth of God's love for us, which is not based on our worthiness or merit, but on his own goodness and mercy. It is this love that motivates us to turn to God in faith and to live a life that reflects his love and grace.

d. The power of suffering: Paul also speaks about the role of suffering in our lives, noting that it produces endurance, character, and hope. This is a difficult truth to accept, but it is one that has been affirmed by many spiritual writers throughout history. Suffering can be a means of refining our faith and deepening our dependence on God. It is in our weakness that God's strength is made perfect, and it is through our struggles that we learn to rely more fully on his grace.

e. The assurance of salvation: Finally, Paul reminds us that we can have the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ. This means that we can be confident that God has saved us and that nothing can separate us from his love. This is a powerful source of comfort and strength for us as we navigate the ups and downs of life, knowing that we are secure in God's grace and love.

In sum,  Romans 5:1-8 is a powerful reminder of the central themes of the Christian faith: justification by faith, the love of God, the role of suffering, and the assurance of salvation. It calls us to deepen our faith in Christ, to trust in his love and grace, and to live a life that reflects his goodness and mercy. Overall, the third Sunday of Lent is a time of deep spiritual reflection and renewal, as we are called to repentance, faith, perseverance, and the mercy of God. It reminds us of the ultimate goal of our Lenten journey, which is to be transformed by God's grace and to become more fully alive in his love. We are invited to continue our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and to seek God's guidance and strength as we strive to live more fully in his love.

Questions for reflections

1. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, are there areas of your life where you have looked for satisfaction or fulfillment in things that ultimately leave you feeling empty? 

2. The Samaritan woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her, as Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. Are there people in your life who you tend to avoid or overlook, and how can you follow Jesus' example of showing love and compassion to all people?

3. The Samaritan woman left her water jar and ran to tell others about Jesus. Is there anything in your life that you need to let go of in order to fully embrace Jesus and share his message with others?

Take some time to prayerfully consider these questions and how you can apply them to your own life and relationship with God.

Prayer based on Psalm 95

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today with joyful hearts, ready to worship and praise your holy name. We thank you for the beauty of your creation and the wonder of your love. Your majesty and power are beyond measure, and we bow before you in humble adoration.

Help us to remember that you are the rock of our salvation, the one who sustains us in all things. May we never harden our hearts to your voice or turn away from your love. Instead, may we always be open to your guidance and seek to follow your will. We offer our songs of praise to you, knowing that you are the God of all creation and the one who holds us in the palm of your hand. May our worship be pleasing to you and draw us ever closer to your heart. In Jesus' Holy Name, we pray, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ 
March 10, 2023