3rd Sunday of Lent 2023
Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 94 (95); Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42
Today, and for the following two Sundays, we have long readings from the Fourth Gospel. Whilst you are no doubt carrying out Lenten penances very enthusiastically, I suspect that these don’t run to missing your Sunday dinner, so instead of delivering a conventional homily, I shall invite you to follow the Gospel very closely, after which I will highlight some salient passages.
READ THE GOSPEL
“It was about the sixth hour”. This was noon, the hottest part of the day. People wouldn’t normally come to the well at that time of day. Presumably the woman was something of an outcast, probably shunned for her enthusiasm in gathering husbands.
“Jews do not associate with Samaritans.” Nor did men speak to women who were strangers.
“Living water” is one of the great themes of John’s Gospel (and of the Apocalypse). Water, essential to life, is especially precious in hot countries, as we learned from the Exodus passage, when the people were “tormented by thirst”. The spring of living (as distinct from still or even stagnant) water within a person is an analogy for the life-giving Holy Spirit. In Lent, it is also a reminder of baptism, to be received by catechumens at Easter.
“Go and call your husband.” This part of the conversation has a real knockabout flavour. Our Lord seemed to enjoy this sort of banter—see also His conversation with the Canaanite woman. Interestingly, there is no condemnation in His words or attitude, and He reveals an important truth to, in effect, an adulterous heretic.
“Salvation comes from the Jews”—something we should never forget!
“Those who worship must worship in spirit and truth”. Formal worship is important, but it must not be a formality.
“I am He.” One of the “I am” sayings (ego eimi) by which Jesus identifies Himself with the God of the burning bush—“I am who am”.
Despite shunning the woman, the townspeople follow her now. Curiosity gets the better of disapproval.
“The fields are white for the harvest.” Is that true today, or are we a generation which must labour, that others may come into the rewards of our trouble?
Many Samaritans came to believe. The heretics and schismatics believed in Jesus, whilst the orthodox by and large rejected Him. What are the implications of that today?
