Third Sunday of Lent -One Small Step

 This story in John’s Gospel is one of the three longest Gospel readings next to the Passion stories. They are always read on the Sundays of Lent when those preparing for baptism. They are meant not only for catechumens, but also for all of us who are growing in faith. In today’s Gospel, we see the Samaritan woman coming to faith. The steps she takes are our steps, too. Though she needs Jesus’ help, he approaches her first. In asking her for a drink, he is really thirsting for her faith. He invites us to make the journey of faith long before we start by putting us into a faithful family, giving us a curious heart that seeks the truth, sending us a friend or spouse whose example draws us to the Lord. The next step is acknowledging our need and our sinfulness. The woman does this when she asks for living water and faces her behavior in having five husbands. Admitting our need for God, and especially for God’s forgiveness, opens us to God’s saving grace.

Another step is drawing closer to God in prayer. That explains the odd question about worshiping on a mountain. Jesus tells the woman, and us, that the best worship is honest and from the Spirit. That is more important than when or where we pray. God hears the prayers of a small congregation in a rural chapel just as well those of a thousand people in a large cathedral.

When we begin to share our faith with others, we take the step of living our faith. We make a difference in someone else’s life and they begin to experience Jesus' presence. Like the woman who told her neighbors about Jesus, we find that the people we have touched begin to find the Lord on their own. Our catechumens are taking these steps now, pray for them as they experience Jesus’ invitation to faith.