March 27: Third Sunday of Lent

Scripture readings:

• Exodus 17:3-7
• Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
• Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
• John 4:5-42

Synopsis:
The Scrutinies are part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process (catechumenate) whereby those who will be baptized at Easter are delivered from the power of sin and Satan. Celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Scrutinies facilitate the process of purification and enlightenment that define this period. The Gospel readings for each of these Sundays highlight specific aspects of the purification process. This Sunday, the Gospel features the woman at the well where Jesus promises her “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The connection between the Gospel and the first reading is clearly seen as the Israelites, in dire need of water, are in danger of dying of thirst.  In the severe climate of the Middle East, water is an obvious symbol of salvation as physical thirst resembles the deep spiritual thirst in the heart of every person.  The outward act of pouring water over a person at baptism symbolizes “the love of God (that) has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (second reading). In Romans 3 and 4 Paul explained how one is “justified” by faith in Jesus Christ. To be “justified” means to be “made right” or put into a right relationship with God, which can only happen through Christ. Baptism is the way we enter that relationship. The Samaritans were distant cousins of the Jews. When the northern kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians in the seventh-century, B.C., people from five foreign nations were brought in to mix with the small remnant of Jews, effectively neutralizing them by corrupting their religion (1 Kgs 17:24-31).  The woman thus represents the lost tribes of Israel, and her five husbands the foreign gods introduced by Israel’s enemies centuries earlier. The true “bridegroom”—Christ—has come to reclaim his bride (Jn 3:28-29) and cleanse her with the purifying water of the Spirit.

Key verse:  “The water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn 4:14).

Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Holy Spirit is the living water ‘welling up to eternal life’ in the heart that prays. It is he who teaches us to accept it at its source: Christ. Indeed, in the Christian life there are several wellsprings where Christ awaits us to enable us to drink of the Holy Spirit” (No. 2652).

Pope Benedict XVI: “The Lord promises the Samaritan woman water that becomes in the one who drinks it a source springing up into eternal life, so that whoever drinks it will never be thirsty again. In the conversation with the Samaritan woman, then, water once again—though now in a different way—functions as the symbol of the Pneuma (Spirit) the real life-force, which quenches man’s deeper thirst and give him plenitude of life for which he is waiting without knowing it” (“Jesus of Nazareth,” Vol. 1).

Life application:  Water is one of the most beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit. The divine life is poured into hearts every time we receive the sacraments. Baptism, which the catechism calls the “gateway” to all the other sacraments, is just the beginning of the spiritual life. It must be nourished with regular prayer, frequent confession and, of course, holy Communion. Like the woman at the well, the Lord knows the secrets of our hearts. May we see ourselves as Christ sees us and acknowledge our sins, confident of his love and mercy.