First Reading:  Exodus 17:3-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-9 Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2,5-8 Gospel Acclamation: John 4:42-15 Gospel: John 4:5-42

Today’s Reflection is by Patric Razafimahafaly, SJ., Director Centre Arrupe-Madagascar.

We are now in the third Sunday of Lent. This means we are nearing Holy Week, the celebration of Christ’s passion and resurrection. Today’s Gospel reading from John 4:5-42, which narrates the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, invites us to see Christ as the living water and the source of everlasting life.
Jesus awaited the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in Sychar, just as he waits for each of us. She arrived carrying her lifestyle and all her burdens. She faced the daily struggle of domestic labor, fetching water every day for survival and hygiene. She also carried a troubled romantic history, having been married five times, while the man she lived with was not her husband. Furthermore, she faced social tensions born from the long-standing hostility between Jews and Samaritans. Finally, she confronted a religious dilemma, as she was unsure where and how to worship, or when the Messiah would arrive.
Based on this observation, it can be said that the Samaritan woman reflects all of humanity seeking happiness and joy. Though our hearts and minds thirst for peace, we do not see it clearly. From this encounter between Jesus and the woman, we can draw three lessons:
First, Jesus, the Messiah awaited by Israel and other tribes like the Samaritans, came for all humankind. He is already among us, present in our daily struggles and routines. However, we often fail to see or recognize him because our attention is preoccupied with other things.
Second, Jesus clearly stated that those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth, rather than being deceived by external appearances or false gods.
Third, Jesus does not only bring living water; he himself is the inexhaustible living spring, the source of eternal life and salvation.
Brothers and sisters, it is now clear that the dialogue proposed by Jesus is:

• a dialogue that leads people to promote love and unity, where the goal is not to convince, but to understand one another;
• a dialogue that helps the human heart and mind to attain true conversion and seek nothing but the truth.

Dear friends, during this Lent, the Church calls us not to be afraid to draw near to Christ, the living water that quenches our thirst and unites us. He is the living water who enables us to live God’s life, a life of truth and love. May our Lenten journey be a time of spiritual transformation and renewal for each of us. Amen.