READINGS:
1R: Ex 17 : 3 - 7 .
PS 94 : 1 - 2, 6 - 7, 8 - 9. 
2R: Rom 5: 1 - 2, 5 - 8.
GOS Jn 4: 5 - 42.
THE THIRD SUNDAY LITURGY OF LENT REMINDS US ABOUT THE GRACE OF THE SACRAMENTS, BEGINNING WITH BAPTISM FLOWING LIKE LIVING SPRINGS.
DESPITE THE CONSTANT MURMUR AND DISCONTENT ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK AGAINST GOD, GOD PROVIDES MANNA IN THE SEENAH DESERT AND DRINK IN THE SURAH DESERT AT MARAH ROCK. IN TODAY'S GOSPEL GOD GIVES WATER AT MERIBAH( = ISRAEL TESTS GOD ) AND MASSAH (ISRAEL QUARRELS WITH GOD ) .
THE FIRST READING IS A SAD COMMENTARY OF PEOPLE OF ISRAEL NOT APPRECIATING THE VALUE OF LIBERATION FROM SLAVERY AND HARDSHIPS AND BEING ONLY CONCERNED WITH MERE BODILY THIRST AND HUNGER.
HAVE I EVER APPRECIATED THE VALUE AND IMMENSE SACRIFICE OF JESUS IN SAVING ME AND THE MANKIND ??????????
THE SECOND READING THEREFORE REMINDS US THAT JESUS WAS READY TO DIE WHEN WE WERE GOD'S ENEMIES BECAUSE OF SIN. THEREFORE GRACE SIMPLY MEANS GOD'S OWN SELF GIFT. HIS GOODNESS AND HIS COMPASSION.
THE GOSPEL IS A LONG NARRATIVE OF THE CONVERSION OF SAMARITAN WOMAN.
ST. AUGUSTINE CALLS THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AS THE SYMBOL OF THE CHURCH WHICH IS DRAWN FROM THE GENTILES AND NOW COMING TO THE FOUNT OF LIVING WATERS.
INSPITE OF THE " NON MERIT " JESUS GIFTS SALVATION TO US.
THE GOSPEL STORY ALSO REMINDS US TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.
SEE THE FOUR LEVELS OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
1. A JEW.
2. SIR, LORD.
3. PROPHET.
4. CHRIST/ ANOINTED, MESSIAH.
HAVE I REMAINED ONLY AT THE HUMAN LEVEL OR
AM I READY TO ACCEPT JESUS AS CHRIST.
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN ALSO BECOMES THE EVANGELIZER.
SHE JUST SHARES HER FAITH EXPERIENCE AND BRINGS MANY OTHERS TO JESUS.
DO I EVER SHARE FAITH EXPERIENCE AND BRINGS MANY OTHERS TO JESUS ?
LATER THE SAMARITANS TELL THE WOMAN THAT THEY ACCEPT JESUS AS THE SAVIOUR, NOT BECAUSE OF HER BUT THEY THEMSELVES " SAW ".
HAVE I REACHED THAT STAGE WHERE I FOLLOW JESUS NOT BECAUSE OF PARISH PRIEST OR GURKAR OR NEIGHBOR OR SOCIAL PRESSURE OR DEMONSTRATION EFFECT OR OTHERS
BUT I " SAW " IN JESUS MY SAVIOUR.
