The Third Sunday of Lent, Year A, calls us to open our hearts to God’s grace. As we continue to deepen our discipline of intense prayer, fasting, and penance, we are also invited to offer another sacrifice so that this Lenten season may become more meaningful. That sacrifice is to pray earnestly for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, involving Israel, America, and Iran.
I agree with the call of Pope Leo XIV for leaders to engage in dialogue, because going to war is not the solution; rather, it aggravates division and conflict. More innocent people suffer, and hatred continues to intensify. This season is an ideal time to deepen our Lenten practices so that the world may draw closer to God and reflect on what truly satisfies the human heart—much like Jesus’ offer of “living water” to the Samaritan woman.
Many people today are experiencing sadness and anxiety because of the growing number of killings. Families mourn loved ones, and soldiers have died as collateral damage in ongoing conflicts. At the same time, many perspectives have emerged raising concerns about the morality of these aggressive actions on both sides. Some would say such actions are immoral; others defend them based on political alignments. Moralists attempt to analyze the situation through the lens of the “Just War Theory.”
I know many who are weary—tired of being cast aside or looked upon with suspicion. Personally, I believe that an evil regime must be confronted, based on the historical reality that such regimes rarely come to the table for sincere conflict resolution. Too often, they stand on the side of darkness rather than dialogue. Perhaps one day the world will recognize and be grateful to those who stand firmly to protect the principles of a civilized world—a world that upholds peace, love, and unity.
This is precisely the reason Jesus came into the world. Even His enemies were given the freedom to choose between good and evil. Jesus treated His enemies with compassion and mercy, yet He also set clear boundaries. Thus, we must awaken both our minds and our hearts.
Today, we live in a world thirsting for answers—struggling with anxiety, wondering whom and what to trust, and longing for justice and peace to prevail.
Scripture today reminds us that even Jesus became tired. Perhaps He, too, was weary of division and thirsted for the realization of the new earth—the Kingdom of God—here and now.
All the readings today invite us to listen to His voice. I urge openness to His voice today, unlike our ancestors who hardened their hearts despite witnessing His mighty works.
In the first reading from the Book of Exodus, the Israelites grow angry with Moses. They begin to doubt God’s presence among them. In response, God instructs Moses to go to Horeb and strike the rock, miraculously providing water for the thirsty people. The place was called Massah and Meribah.
In the second reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans, Paul exhorts believers that through faith we stand on the side of God, gaining peace and the hope of sharing in His glory. Through the Holy Spirit we receive God’s love—a love that confirms our hope, manifested in Christ who died for all of us, even while we were still sinners.
In the Gospel of John, we hear the inspiring story of the Samaritan woman. It is a moving dialogue between two tired individuals at the well under the scorching heat of the noonday sun—an encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
Let us focus on three important lessons from this encounter, though the Gospel reveals many more profound truths.
First, the Samaritan woman remains curious about Jesus. Without hesitation, she engages Him in conversation. They discuss real differences in politics, worship, and their understanding of God. They look at Scripture and tradition together. They enter into dialogue while honoring one another’s human dignity and looking toward the future with hope.
This is true evangelization. Jesus offers her hope, truth, and new life. She deeply senses that Jesus has changed her life, making her ready to share what she has discovered.
Jesus meets the Samaritan woman where she is, despite her sins and her past. This reminds us that God does not turn away from us because of our sins. Instead, He invites us to receive His mercy so that we may be transformed.
Second, in this encounter the Samaritan woman finds Christ, and she cannot contain her joy. She leaves her water jar behind and immediately runs to tell others the good news. Because of her testimony, many come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
Third, the Samaritan woman proclaims, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done!” Many people leave their town just to see Jesus. This movement shows a decisive response of faith.
The woman becomes instrumental in fulfilling the missionary mandate—something no one in the village had dared to do before. She becomes the first messenger of the Good News among the Samaritans. Historically, Samaritans and Jews avoided one another and rarely met face to face. Yet Jesus restores her voice and her dignity.
This encounter at the well gives meaning to the many small gestures of daily life that connect us to one another.
The symbolism of leaving her jar at the well represents the abandonment of her old prejudices and burdens, making way for the newly discovered “Living Water,” which signifies her new life in Christ.
In the same way that God provided water to the Israelites in the desert, and offered living water through Jesus to the Samaritan woman, He points us toward something deeper in life. God desires to satisfy our thirst for meaning and truth.
God remains faithful, even when we struggle to understand the present geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and in other parts of the world. We must trust that He is in control, even beyond our human comprehension.
Let us continue to engage in dialogue together—like Jesus and the Samaritan woman—at the periphery of the well, where sincere hearts meet and truth is revealed.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, OSA
