Faith opens us to a firm hope in the love of God
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent (March 15, 2020): EX 17:3-7; PS 95:1-2,6-7,8-9; ROM 5:1-2,5-8; JN 4:5-42
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
We must not harden our hearts when God speaks to us.
The liturgical readings for this Third Sunday of Lent invite us to listen to God and to trust in His love for us. Despite the lapses of the Jewish people following Moses from enslavement in Egypt, the Almighty granted them life-saving water from a rock as they wandered in the desert. The 95th Psalm reminds us that we must not harden our hearts when God speaks to us. Instead, we need to recognize, praise, and thank Him for all He does for us.
Both New Testament readings encourage us to have faith in Christ. St. Paul assures us that God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Him. The Gospel story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well ends with His preaching and ministering to the whole town. “When the Samaritans came to Him, they invited Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in Him because of His word, and they said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world” (John 4:40-42). These people have experienced the presence of Jesus for themselves. There is no mention of cures or other miracles. Rather, this community has listened and learned. They allowed their hearts to be open to the truth that the world’s Redeemer had come among them. And they had faith in Him. Let us also heed the word of Christ through Scriptures and stay united with Him through the sacraments. Let us treasure each day of the Lenten season by allowing our Lord to refresh our souls and draw us ever nearer to Him.
Suggested missionary action: Let us spend time daily reading the Gospel and meditating on all the Lord wants us to know about Him and the relationship to which He calls us. And we can ponder the great gift of Baptism and how we can encourage others to have faith in Jesus.
