The Pastor's Desk

The 3rd Sunday Of Lent, Year A

Theme: Come To Christ, The Eternal Living Water

Readings: 1st: Ex 17: 3-7; Ps 94:1-2.6-9; 2nd: Rom 5: 1-2.5-8; Gospel: Jn 4:5-42

We all know water is an essential requirement for the sustenance of all lives. There will no life without water. In the Old Testament, water is a common metaphor for spiritual satisfaction (Is 12, 3)

The first reading of today tells us of the ordeal of the Israelites in the wilderness. After four hundred and thirty years of slavery in Egypt, God came to deliver them (Ex 12, 40). Nevertheless, they grumbled against Moses and, consequently, against God because they were thirsty. God instructed Moses to strike the rock. From it, water came forth. The Israelites drank and were satisfied. The rock Moses struck, and the water gushed from it allegorically and metaphorically prefigure Christ. He is both the rock of our salvation and our eternal living water. On this third Sunday of Lent, we also need a spiritual drink from the living water that flows from Christ, the Rock of Ages. Hence, we must: “Draw water from the well of salvation” (Ish 12:3) to quench our spiritual thirst this Lenten season.

In the second reading, Paul described how the love of Christ “is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Here, Paul implicitly mentions water using the verb: “to pour.” He reminds us also of how helpless our life was and could still be without Christ, the Living Water. In other words, Christ made himself the source of our own life through his death. Christ my means of Sacraments, he pours upon us special graces.

In today’s gospel, Jesus presents himself to the Samaritan woman as the Eternal Living Water. This underscores the importance of Christ in our life. The lesson from this is that we must not discriminate against people based on their race or culture. A call for unity within our parish family. Jesus knew quite well who the woman was (a Samaritan) and her life history. However, he approached her for a drink. Jesus aimed to draw her closer to himself, the Eternal Living Water. By breaking the silence and going against the social customs and prejudices between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus becomes the gift of God to this woman and her people. Like Jesus, therefore, we must be ready to take risks. This is by challenging the unjust rules of social structures and norms. It is by breaking down walls that exclude people and opening up possibilities to others. To allow others to be part of our lives and lead them to Christ. May we as All Saints Parish family continue to be a shining example of unity among ourselves while experiencing the presence of Christ the living water.

Rev. Barnabas Shayo A.J.- Pastor-All Saints Parish