St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

On this the 3rd Sunday of the Lenten Season, water plays a pivotal role in our liturgy. We hear Moses bring forth water from a rock in the desert when the Chosen people feared dying of thirst. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals himself as the source of living water, telling the woman at the well that whoever drinks of this water will never thirst again. Today we are also celebrating the First Scrutiny rite with Hannah and Marie who are preparing for baptism, where they will receive the water of new life. Whether we have been baptized for many years or are preparing for baptism in a few weeks, we thirst for the life-giving water that only our Lord can provide.

Witness the dialogue between Jesus and the woman at the well. This happens to be the lengthiest conversation Jesus has with one other person in the Gospels. When they first address each other, the woman just wants to fill her jar with water and Jesus just wants a drink. But by the end, the woman has confirmed that Jesus told her everything she had done and Jesus has revealed himself as the source of living water and the Messiah. She has had a checkered married life, with five husbands and now living with a man who is not her husband. She recognizes Jesus first as a prophet, then as the Messiah. In a like manner, the scrutinies are intended to uncover our own sinfulness while strengthening our faith and our hope that God can heal and save us. May we recognize the springs of water that we have within us that give us whatever we need to satisfy our spiritual thirst.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob