Thirst for God

    

Third Sunday of Lent

12 March 2023

 

First Reading: Ex 17:3-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8

Gospel: Jn 4:5-42

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

What do you thirst for in life? Is it a thirst for power, fame, wealth, or love? Do you even know that you are thirsty?

Jesus asked for a water to drink from a Samaritan woman but it was the woman who actually needed quenching her thirst. She was thirsty for love but ended up thirsting again for getting involved with different men, no one her husband.

Today's Gospel is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. In fact, all of my favorite Gospel stories are about Jesus' encounters with sinners that eventually led them to conversion.

This Lenten season, most especially, Jesus invites us to go back to Him through the sacrament of reconciliation. I must admit, until now, I have to compose myself and find courage to meet Jesus at confession as approaching the confession box is difficult to do at first but it promises liberation once we are able to do it.

We still have time to make our Lenten preparation worthwhile for the Easter celebration. Let us together go to Jesus and He will quench our thirst, He will give us water and we will never feel thirsty again.

As my favorite Responsorial Psalm during Easter Vigil says, "Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for You, my God (Ps 42:1)", may we continue to journey towards knowing God and making Him the center of our lives.

Prayer

Lord, help us to go to confession and reconcile with You. May we disregard our ego, our embarassment, and instead desire for Your infinite love and eternal life in store for us at the door of the confession box and at the end of our earthly life. These we ask in Your mercy, Jesus, Our Savior, Amen.