We hear the Chosen People grumble in today’s first reading, for they are thirsty and have no idea how long their journey through the desert will last. “Is the LORD in our midst or not?” they complain. Here in this place, where we gather with God’s people to worship the Lord, to listen to God’s word, and to receive the Lord’s body and blood, we can be assured that the Lord is in our midst. Jesus has quenched our deepest thirst with living water, with water welling up to eternal life. Together let us give witness to our faith that God remains always in our midst.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
The woman in today’s Gospel comes to the well to draw water, something she had probably done every day of her life as far back as she could remember. But on this day she encounters the Messiah and her whole life changes. We have an opportunity right now to encounter the Lord in the word of God. May our lives be changed by the words we hear today.
Reflections
At first the woman was befuddled by this stranger. Why would this Jewish man speak to her, an unaccompanied Samaritan woman? And why did he come to Jacob’s well without a bucket or jug? Then she was amazed. Somehow he knew her entire marriage history and that she was not married to the man she lived with. Finally, she believed. At first she recognized him as a prophet, then she realized he was the Messiah himself. Over the course of an extraordinary conversation, she came to believe, and her newfound faith led her to go forth to testify to her neighbors about the Christ.
Today we celebrate the first of three Scrutiny Sundays. It is an occasion to look deeply and honestly into our own hearts to uncover and heal whatever is sinful and bring forth what is good so that it may be strengthened. When Jesus encountered the woman at the well, he looked deep within her and saw her history, and he also sparked that flicker of faith deep within her, faith in a Messiah who would tell her everything. Immediately she became his missionary, testifying to everyone she knew about what he had said and done, telling everyone that he really was the One. As these scrutinies lead our catechumens to the waters of baptism in Christ, may they provide the opportunity for us to continue the mission of the baptized, to testify to everyone we know what Christ has done.
The waters of baptism cleanse us of our sins even as they quench our spiritual thirst. The water God provided for the Chosen People in the desert did as well. God could have punished them for disparaging Moses and questioning God. Instead, God provided water, giving them sustenance and forgiveness. Jesus could have shamed the woman for her many marriages, but instead he offered her living water, water to give her life eternal. Similarly, we do not deserve the life-giving water we receive in baptism, but Jesus offers it to us, as Paul would say, while we are still sinners, in mercy and love.
Question of the Week
What can I do or say that will show others the living water that I have found in Jesus, the water that satisfies my spiritual thirst? Will I make that my mission this week?
-from Pastoral Patterns
readings of the mass
LISTEN HEREto the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, March 12, 2023
SELECT HEREfor the Readings of Sunday, March 12, 2023
Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
