The story of the Woman at the Well in the Gospel of John for the Third Sunday of Lent is incredibly rich and full of meaning. It certainly offers plenty of material for fruitful meditation during this season of Lent.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Third Sunday of Lent, Mar. 23, 2014 (3LentA)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: "Can non-Catholic people go to heaven?"
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of Exodus, Chapter 17, Verses 3-7
1. Marching through the desert, panicky with thirst, the Israelites had some difficulty believing that God was with them. Can you relate to this situation in some way? It was a serious confrontation and Moses was afraid for his life. What did he do? What would help you?
2. Think of all the ways water is important in your life. The name of the mountain where Moses struck the rock was Horeb, which means “dry” or “desolate.” What is the significance of this and of the water imagery in salvation history?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9
1. The Psalm says that we are the people the Lord shepherds. In what way do you feel like one of his sheep?
2. The Psalm mentions that our spiritual ancestors hardened their hearts at Meribah. Does that also happen to you sometimes? Do you turn away from the Lord and doubt that he cares for you? If so, what is it that allows you to trust the Lord again?
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 1-2, 5-8
1. Everything has been done for us. Christ died for all of us, made us deserving and gave us his Spirit to pour God’s love into our hearts. What is our part?
2. Paul says that “the Holy Spirit has been given to us.” What do these words mean to you? Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to come to your aid when you need help? How often do you call on the Holy Spirit?
Gospel
According to John, Chapter 4, Verses 5-42
1. “For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans,” the Gospel says. But the woman at the well was a Samaritan. How did Jesus handle this problem, and also the gender issue at the well? When was the only other time Jesus mentions his thirst? Do you think it was the same thirst?
2. Why did the woman leave her jar and go into town to tell everyone what had happened? Does that part of the story have any significance for you? What does “living water” mean to you? For what do you thirst?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share below your reflections on the above Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
The Psalm is a call to praise the Lord
ReplyDeleteand to obey Him.
We are cautioned not to “harden our hearts”
as the Israelites did at Meribah (Verse 8).
We are not to test the Lord
as our spiritual ancestors tested the Lord
on the day of Massah in the desert (Verse 9).
After all, we are “God’s well tended flock” (Verse 7).
Our Lord is a good shepherd,
and we are his sheep.
His grace is “poured out into our hearts
through the holy Spirit,” as St. Paul tells us in
the 2nd reading.
For that we should bow down in worship,
kneel before the Lord who made us (Psalm Verse 6).
And when we humble ourselves and
open our hearts to the Lord, we are set free.
We are no longer constrained by the
things of this world,
and we can be open to his love and his teachings.
Our Lord Jesus is our savior,
and like the Samaritan woman at the well,
whose life was transformed by the voice of Jesus,
we too can be transformed
if we truly listen to the Lord.
Not only will he tell us 'everything we ever did, '
but he will give us that 'living water'
which quenches our spiritual thirst.
At that point our hearts
will no longer be hardened
and we will 'bow down in worship'
and greet Him with a song of praise,
as our psalmist says (Verse 2).
Amen