Cycle A – Third Sunday of Lent – RCIA
First Scrutiny in The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
“The water that I will give will become a spring of water gushing up to eternal life…”
OPENING PRAYER (Psalm 95)
Leader: O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise
to the rock of our salvation.
All: Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
Let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise.
Leader: O that today you would listen to God’s voice.
Harden not your hearts.
All: Let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Amen
First Reading – Exodus 17:3-7
The Israelites’ trek through the desert takes a dramatic turn here. The people are fed up and so is Moses. The people’s criticism and their cry for water points to a lack of trust in Moses as their leader and God as their guide. The Israelites’ thirst for water parallels Jesus’ request for water in today’s Gospel, yet the conversation that unfolds with the Samaritan woman takes on a different twist. All this talk of water prefigures the catechumen’s journey to Baptism at the Easter Vigil.
1. Have you ever been in Moses’ shoes: where no matter what you do, it is not good enough?
2. Have you been in the Israelites’ shoes: losing heart and doubting that God is still with you?
Second Reading – Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Even though our world is far removed from the world of Paul and of ancient Rome, baptism has forged a timeless link across history. Jesus’ gift of self in his life, death and resurrection transcends historical time, and was just as much for us sinners today, as it was for those to whom Paul wrote his letter about 2000 years ago. Our thirst for God may be immense, but Paul states here that in God’s gift of Jesus to the world, God reveals a thirst for us that is infinitely greater.
1. What is the word or phrase that speaks to your heart today?
2. Have you ever needed to mend a broken friendship? What means did you resort to?
Gospel – John 4:5-42
This long dialogue around thirst and water has long been one of the Church’s prime Scriptures to illustrate the journey from unbelief to faith. Therefore, it is aptly connected to the baptismal journey of the catechumens during Lent. The awakening of faith in the newly baptized re-ignites the fervent of the Church’s faith. The story speaks for itself!
1. From this reading, what do you observe about the stages of faith development?
2. Are there elements in the story that suggest that the Samaritan woman is marginalized or considered undesireable in her community? Who is it in your neighbourhood/town who is considered less desirable?
3. Why do you think Jesus chooses to reveal himself to a woman, to a Samaritan/outsider?
4. For what do you thirst – in your families, your workplace, your parish?
LIVING THE WORD
What is God’s challenge for me/us this coming week?
PRAYING THE WORD
Intercession: For those preparing for Baptism and reception into the Catholic Church at Easter, for those seeking meaning and healing in life, for those who feel undesirable and unwanted. We pray to the Lord.
Invite other intentions, end with “Our Father …”
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader: O God, source of Living Water,
your thirst for us far exceeds our thirst for you,
All: Following the witness of the Samaritan woman,
quench our thirst for meaning, for healing, for mercy.
Leader: Make your living water spring up within us
so that our cup of blessing overflows at all time.
All: Following the witness of the Samaritan woman,
lead us out into the world to proclaim
with joy the Good News of your coming.
Amen.
Leader: Let us share with one another the sign of Christ’s peace.