The Gospel of the third Sunday is the remarkable conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman by the well. The theme is water – which gives life, which cleanses, which is so necessary. This reading forms part of the catechesis given before Baptism at Easter: the candidates who would go into the water are invited to reflect on what that means. But more necessary than the water which gives life is the water which gives eternal life – the water of baptism, the water flowing from Jesus’ side on the cross, his life and Spirit. We have only one candidates preparing for Baptism into the new life of Easter, but with her, we will all renew our baptismal promises: We are invited to reflect on what baptism has given us, what God has done for us in this gift, and what he seeks to renew in us all.
Today’s Scripture (Psalter: Week3)
Exodus 17: 3 – 7
Response: Psalm 94
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the Lord who made us
for he is our God and we //
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
O that today you would listen to his voice!
‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert //
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
(Sung Antiphon: O that today you would listen to his voice; ‘Harden not your hearts’.)
Romans 5: 1–2, 5–8
Acclamation for the Gospel:
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of Life!
Jesus said: “I give you a new commandment:
Love one another, just as I have loved you.”
Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of Life!
John 4:5–42
Prayer of the Faithful: R/. Lord, pour out your spirit.
To read Today’s scripture, visit the Catholic Online.
When Jesus met the woman at the well in Sychar (now Nablus), he revealed his message not all at once but gradually, gently, at her speed.
— Catholic Church (@catholicEW) March 22, 2014
