March 27, 2011: 3rd Sunday of Lent

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:37-38)

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:7-10)

Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan who helped the man that was beaten up by robbers and left for dead on the side of the road? This woman was from the same place. We know that the Jews looked down on the Samaritans and wouldn’t have anything to do with them.
In the stories of the woman at the well and the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows that the people disgraced by society were the very ones open to him and his message, much more than his own people. The woman came to believe in Jesus and brought others to him who also believed.

Action:

During Lent we are invited to listen to Jesus and live according to his teachings.
As we begin the third week of Lent, are you praying, are you sacrificing, are you helping the poor?
What special things have you chosen to do during Lent that will help you become a better disciple of Jesus?