Third Sunday of Lent

On this Third Sunday of Lent, we encounter three different texts that speak to us of \”living water\”. First, Moses is called to strike a rock so that the thirst of the grumbling Israelites may be quenched. In antiquity the rock in this case is a foreshadowing of the heart of Christ pierced by the lance through which blood and water flow in the final climax of the crucifixion. Jesus\’ body, so mangled by whips and abuse already, pours out His love ever after death. He wishes to give all to the Father even until the last drop. 

St. Paul remarks that Christ died at a point when most of the people in Jerusalem were hostile to Him. However, \”the love of God has been poured out into our hearts\” through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. We are often like Moses, grumbling, or at least questioning when life gives us a spin we do not understand. How could God do this to me? Doesn\’t He know? Yet, because Christ died \”while we were yet sinners\” His grace beckons to us in the words of the responsorial psalm for Mass, \”If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.\” He asks us to open ourselves to the living water, the light of grace, and trust–even though we may not see the way. 

The Samaritan woman at the well is promised this living water. Suddenly, she realizes with whom she is talking. She opens her heart and follows the grace she is being given by God. The Holy Spirit has revealed to her the Messiah and she goes in haste to alert her fellow villagers. 

In summary, let us examine our relationship with God. Have we heard this voice of living water deep in our hearts? Have we been attentive? Let us make it our prayer in this holy season of Lent.