LENT IS A SEASON OF SPRING

 

Homily for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year A

Fr Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2.5-8, John 4:5-42

 

As we continue with our Lenten journey, on this third Sunday in Lent, our journey with Jesus takes us to another location. This time around, it is neither the wilderness nor the mountain as we saw in the first and second Sundays in Lent. Today, Jesus takes us to a well of water located in the city of Sychar in Samaria, a Gentile territory. The well is a source of water and the theme of water runs across the readings of today.

Our study of economics tells us that water is one of the necessity goods. We can go for days without food but we cannot go for days without water or any other fluid. If we try it, we risk being dehydrated which can lead to other complications including death. We cannot do without water. Water cleanses, nourishes, refreshes, regenerates and renews us. It is because of the need of water that we find the Israelites in the first reading clamoring and revolting against Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 17:2-3). It is also as a result of the importance of water that we find the Samaritan woman in the gospel going to Jacob’s to draw water (John 4:7). Water indeed is life.

However, Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman shows us that while ordinary water provides a temporary satisfaction, there is another kind of water that offers a lasting satisfaction. That water is Jesus Christ himself. He is the spring of living water welling up for eternal life (John 4:14). Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come and drink richly from the fountain that flows from him. He promises us that whosoever tastes of that living water shall never thirst again (John 4:13). Water indeed is life but Jesus is the living water. Inasmuch as we desire water for us to live, we should learn to desire more for the living water that preserves us for eternal life.

The Samaritan woman has been thirsty all her life. Her thirst has led her to six different men and counting. However, when she encountered Jesus, her thirst and longings find both fulfilment and satisfaction. In each of us is a void that no human company can fill. In each of our soul is a thirst that no amount of water can quench. In each of our hearts is a desire and longing that no pleasure can satisfy. At times, we resort to all sorts of immoral means and addictive habits in order to fill the emptiness we feel within us and satisfy our longings. However, the first and gospel readings of today teach us that God is the everlasting Rock and only the spring of living water which flows from heart of God, Jesus himself, can satisfy our deepest longings and quench our thirst.

The Jews and the Samaritans were sworn enemies and there existed between them, a strong feeling of hatred and animosity towards each other. But by speaking with the woman, Jesus broke that inhibiting custom and other traditional barriers. For us, the season of Lent is a time to break barriers. It is a time to pull down the walls of sin, unforgiveness, hatred, revenge, animosity and enmity which we have built, and replace them with bridges. The living water which Jesus offers is for everyone, Jews and Samaritans, righteous and sinners alike. Our love should be the same, extending to all irrespective of our differences. May God fill us with the living water and satisfy all our thirsts.