Third Sunday of Lent

Readings of the Day

In today’s first reading from Exodus, I empathize with the Israelites.  After fleeing from their slave holders, the Israelites are wandering throughout the desert traumatized, exhausted, hot, and thirsty.  Can you blame them for grumbling? They complain to Moses, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?”  Despite all of the miracles God had bestowed upon them, their humanness got in the way of their ability to remember all that had been done.  

Later, in the Gospel reading, we hear another account of a journey and thirst.  This time, it is the story of the Samaritan woman encountering Jesus at a well.  Take a moment to put yourself in Jesus’ shoes.  He was walking in the region of Samaria, and he began to grow tired.  According to John, it was noon when he arrived in the town of Sychar.  Imagine how hot it must have been and how thirsty you would be walking under the direct sunlight beating down on your brow.  Then, to your relief, you see a well.  

Now imagine being in the Samaritan woman’s shoes.  She too is probably hot and tired after completing her morning tasks.  Maybe she’s thinking, “I’ll just run to the well quick and get some water for lunch.”  Imagine to her surprise when she sees a Jewish man sitting there.  Even more shocking, he asks her for water!  And to top it off, he claims that “whoever drinks the [living] water I shall give will never thirst.”  This unlikely exchange transforms the Samaritan woman so much so that she abandons her water jar and runs back into town telling her neighbors, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done.”  

How many times have we as social ministers fallen into the trap of grumbling throughout our day, only to be transformed because of the unlikeliest of circumstances?  These “aha” moments act as reminders of the goodness in our lives.  As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us not forget the blessings that God has bestowed upon us and how the unlikeliest of exchanges can soften our hearts and minds, so long as we are willing to let the Spirit work within us.  

Catherine Orr is the Program Coordinator for the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and the Pastoral Associate at Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon, WI.  She also serves on the Catholic Charities Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.

Sign up to receive the Daily Lent Reflection emails and other CCUSA messages here.