Third Sunday of Lent
08 March 2026
First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42
Reflection
By: Anton B. Ocampo
As we progress on our Lenten journey, the Church invites us to reflect on the readings as a form of revelation. The One we humbly exalt with all our hearts continues to reveal Himself to us. In the readings for this specific Sunday, the Third Sunday of Lent, the One we humbly exalt with all our hearts and minds, introduces Himself as the source of mercy. He does not withhold His mercy but wholeheartedly shows it to us and gives it to us, despite our sinful nature.
In the First Reading, the Lord God shows His mercy and compassion to His chosen people, the Israelites, by providing them water from rock. Even though He instructed Moses to strike the rock in Horeb with his staff so that water will flow from the said rock, it is not Moses who gave the Israelites water. Rather, it is God Himself who provided the water. This is His response to the complaints made by His chosen people as they were journeying through the desert for 40 years before they made it to the Promised Land. By doing so, God showed His people how merciful and compassionate He is. The Second Reading focuses on the greatest act of God in which He showed His grace, mercy, compassion, and love to all. God did it through His Begotten Son who is also the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity and the Word Made Flesh, Christ Jesus. Even though humanity has committed numerous sins and offenses towards Him, which can no longer be counted by hand given how many there are, He still chose to show His grace, mercy, compassion, and love through Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus introduces Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well as the source of living water. By presenting Himself as the source of living water, Jesus highlights His mercy for all. His decision to become the source of living water stems from His great mercy, compassion, and love for all.
What should our response be to the Lord who has decided to show His great mercy, compassion, and love for us? Open ourselves to Him. As stated in the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday: “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Psalm 95:8). In doing so, we exalt the Lord with wholehearted humility in our hearts and minds. This is what the Lord is looking for in us.
Despite our sinful nature, the Lord has chosen to show His great mercy, compassion, and love to us. In response, let us exalt Him by opening our whole selves to Him and obey His will.
Prayer
We humbly thank You, O Lord, for continuing to show us Your mercy, compassion, and love to us, despite our sinfulness. Help us to humbly open ourselves to You. Grant us the strength to listen and follow You throughout the days of our earthly journey. Amen.
