Lenten Bible Study
using the readings from Sunday Mass
For RCIA/OCIA and Liturgical Cycle Year A (2005, 2008)

Third Sunday of Lent
Read:
Exodus 17:3-7
Ps 95:1-2, 6-9
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
John 4:5-42

What are you thirsty for? Thirst is what happens when we lack something vital. Water is essential for our physical survival, therefore our bodies signal us when it's time to drink fluids to stay healthy. Likewise, water is necessary for our spiritual survival, albeit a different sort of water - the LIVING water, the baptismal water that purifies us for eternal life, the holy water that enables us to have abundant life in Christ now.

One of the biblical symbols that represents the presence of the Giver of Life (the Holy Spirit) is water. Therefore, we can surmise that Jesus wanted to give the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritan woman. Why, since it would still be a while before the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost? This gal needed the truth; the Holy Spirit IS Truth, and Jesus wanted to give her whatever she needed to first repent and receive salvation and then to share this new life with the people around her.

We only get thirsty when we haven't had enough to drink. Spiritual thirst comes in many forms: loneliness, despair, frustration, self-indulgence - any feeling or behavior that's caused by lacking something we need. And why would we lack anything spiritually? Because like the woman at the well, we have sins to repent of that have turned us away from God who is pouring His love into us in all sufficiency.

Questions for Reflection and Faith Sharing

1. In the first reading, why did a physical thirst turn into a sin? How does this still happen today?

2. In Romans 5, grace and hope are mentioned as gifts we receive when we have been "justified by faith" (i.e., when we've repented of our sins and sought forgiveness through Jesus). How do grace and hope quench our thirsts? How do they help us resist sin? How is this a result of God's love being poured into our hearts?

3. The woman at the well received what Jesus said readily. Even though He confronted her about her sins, she drank it all in and then, without shame, excitedly told others about her encounter with the Messiah. What need did she have that was resolved by the truth? What does this say about how we can help others hear the truth?

Question for Moving Forward on the Journey
What are you thirsty for that would help you grow spiritually? What sin or unhealthy habit do you need to overcome, with Christ's help, so that this thirst is finally quenched? What will you do this week to hand it over to Christ?

© 2005 by Terry A. Modica

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See also the Lenten materials available at Catholic Digital Resources.

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