This Sunday, March 8, the third Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of the woman at the well, and we will celebrate the first Scrutiny (first of three) with those preparing to be baptized at Easter Vigil, a time when they will receive their first sacraments and when a new life in Christ begins. There are many messages we gain from this gospel reading, but I encourage you to consider these: Jesus crossed boundaries and broke down social barriers, and he named a gift the woman could offer.
This woman, who had several husbands, came to the well at the hottest part of the day, likely to avoid being gossiped about. Despite her sin, fear, and shame, Jesus, a Jewish man, addressed her and asked her for the gift of water. Why does this matter? Jews and Samaritans would not have interacted; men would not have interacted with an unchaperoned female, especially one who was rejected by society. Instead of shunning her, he asked her for water, which she could provide from the well. She helped quench his physical thirst, while Jesus helped quench her spiritual thirst. She could have cut herself off from this interaction. Instead, she accepted the free offer of grace and became a well of living water for others in her community.
Do you allow God quench your spiritual thirst, or do you cut yourself off from God’s free grace by building walls or wearing masks? What kind of transformation could you experience and share with others if you accepted Jesus’ “living water”?
After Mass, the Candidates and Elect who are coming into the Church at Vigil will celebrate the Handing on of the Creed in Miles Meeting Room. Iris Bouvet will be leading this prayer service, which is a formal handing on of a belief system. Creeds come alive when we recite them together; in this case, the Nicene Creed is recited each week during Mass. Our time together will allow us to ponder how our tenets of faith shape our lives. In the words of St. Augustine, “May your Creed be for you as a mirror. Look at yourself in it, to see if you believe everything you say you believe. And rejoice in your faith each day.” (as quoted in the Catechism, 1064).
St. Patrick Catholic Church - Christian Initiation 