March 12th, 2023 - Third Sunday of Lent

The Scripture readings today are all about thirsty people. First, we have the Israelites, grumbling, griping to Moses that they had nothing to drink as they made their way through the desert. Yes, the Israelites thirsted for liquid refreshment… but they also thirsted for yet another sign of God’s love and power. They thirsted for a deeper faith in God. Then there is the woman at the well. She too is very thirsty, but with a different kind of thirst.  She was thirsty for freedom from her past, a new beginning in her life. She was thirsty for somebody just to notice her pain and to love her and give her hope. She was thirsty for healing and compassion. Along came Jesus, and just one remarkable dialogue with Jesus at that well in the scorching heat peeled away layers of hurt and shame in this woman.  On this Third Sunday of Lent, the Lord invites us to bring all our thirsts to Him, for he alone is the living water that wells up to eternal life.