Exodus 17:3-7

Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-2.5-8

John 4:5-42

In most west African traditions, when a guest comes to your house, the first thing to do is to give him or her water to drink. Then after, the greeting protocol begins. This act has socio-spiritual impacts on society: from a sociological point of view, giving water to a visitor implies an act of welcome and unity. While on the spiritual level, water symbolizes “life” therefore presenting a calabash of water to someone means cherishing and preserving his or her life. In this sense, water is associated with life.

Dear friends in Christ, today is the third Sunday in the Lenten season and the liturgical readings proposed to our meditation are inviting us to reflect on the theme: “Jesus, the giver of the living water”. The first reading and the gospel have pointed out to us the importance of drinking water which is the typology of the thirst for eternal life.

Thus in the first reading taken from the book of Exodus, we are told that the people of God had murmured against Moses their leader requesting for water. The sons of Israel have had a difficult time on their journey toward the promised land. One of these experiences was lack of water for they were passing through the desert land. They were experiencing starvation and they knew very well that their death was near.  Instead of relying on God who takes them out of the land of Egypt, they started complaining and murmuring against Moses and God.

If in the first reading, the people of God (the mortal beings) asked for water to drink, in the gospel (the Divine Being) Jesus has requested drinking water from a Samaritan woman a mere creature.

 Jesus and his disciples were on their journey proclaiming the Good News as they arrived in the territory of Samaria they decided to rest for a while before continuing their journey. However, Jesus never rested, on the contrary, he initiated a conversation with a Samaritan woman at well. He began this conversation by saying: “Give me a drink” knowing very well the implication of it. Since the fall of Samaria in 722 BC by the Assyrians, the Jewish considered the Samaritans as Gentiles. They have become a traditional enemy of each other based on religious differences. But through his conversation with this woman, Jesus has preached to them all for the woman went to the city saying “Come, see a man who told all that I ever did”. Systematically, Jesus had helped her to request spiritual living water. By the end of the conversation, the woman was the one asking for water “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst nor come here to draw”. According to the word Saint John “And many of the Samaritans that town began to believe in him” [John 4:39b, NAB] which means that Jesus has taken the opportunity to preach while resting. By doing so, Jesus has invited them to accept him as the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

In the second reading, Saint Paul focused his teaching on the benefit of justification. According to him, through reason, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. In other words, through Jesus Christ, we have reconciled and are in harmony with God. This is pure grace that God has bestowed on us while we are still incapable spiritually to fight against sin.

Today’s readings invite us to bear in mind three points: patience in requesting things from God, Jesus opening our minds to spiritual realities, and the importance of being in harmony with God.

1. Patient in requesting things from God: Dear friends, the God who takes out the sons of Israel from Egypt knows their needs when they are in the wilderness and was ready to provide them everything.  But they were in a hurry to murmur and to accuse him. Many times, our reactions are not far from the sons of Israel, we get upset against God because things are not moving the way we want. We actually force God to listen to us while we are not ready to listen to him or to give him attention. Today, we are called upon to be patient in our requests.
2.  Jesus opens our minds to the spiritual realities:  the purpose of initiating the conversation with the Samaritan woman was to open her mind to know the spiritual realities.  Thanks be to God this woman was receptive and accepted Jesu’s teaching. Today, we are called upon to follow in the footstep of this Samaritan woman, to request spiritual things rather than material things. Jesus, the giver of living water, the eternal life is ready to bestow on us spiritual blessings, all that we need to do is to accept his offer with great humility.
3. The importance of being in harmony with God: dear friends, the only way to reconcile with God is through Jesus Christ for he has died for us so that we may have eternal life. In order to preserve harmony with God, we are called upon to recognize Jesus as the mediator and the life giver of life; through him, we shall have in abundance.

            As we are going through this spiritual journey of forty days of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, let us hold on to Jesus for he is the giver of the living water, spiritual water which will quench the spiritual thirst in us, amen

Fr. Issere Agre

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

THEME: “THE LIVING WATER”

((Readings: 1^st: Ex 17:3-7; Ps: 94; 2^nd: Rom 5:1-2.5-8; Gos: Jn 4:5-42))

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent, our mother church Is inviting us to come and drink from the wells of living water. Water is one of the most essential requirements for the sustenance of all lives. According to scientific studies, water makes up 60-75 percent of the total body fluid. Man can live for long without food but if deprived of water he will die quickly. Water is the source of life. In a special way let us also pray that God may open up the heavens and pour down rain on our land.

In the book of Exodus, we read about the lamentations of Israelites in the desert. Their long journey across the desert was not without challenges. They encountered fiery snakes and they were invaded by enemies. Tormented by thirst, the people grumbled and complained against Moses and consequently against God. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? In order to die of thirst; together with our children and cattle too?” In the Gospel, we encounter an exhausted Jesus seated by Jacob´s well asking the Samaritan woman to give him water to drink because He was too thirsty.

God instructed Moses to use his staff to strike the rock. From it, water came forth. The Israelites drank and were satisfied. Jesus is teaching the Samaritan woman and us about another water called “Living Water” that satisfies the human soul such that man will never become thirsty again. What is Jesus referring to as “Living Water” so we too can fetch and drink today? The Living water refers to the following:

• JESUS HIMSELF

Jesus is both the rock of our salvation that Moses struck in the desert and our eternal living water. Like the Israelites, today we also need a spiritual drink from the living water that flows from Christ, the Rock of Ages. Hence, we must: “Draw water from the well of salvation” (Is 12:3) in order to quench our spiritual thirst this Lenten season.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul describes how the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Paul is reminding us how helpless our life was and could still be without Christ, the Living Water. Jesus is offering Himself to the Samaritan woman as living water to drink. The material water we are searching for does not bring true happiness. Our thirst for fulfillment in life will be satisfied if search for Jesus, the living water and the source of our life. This living water is for everybody regardless of religion or culture. St. Augustine clearly said: “My heart is made of you O Lord and it is restless until it rests in you.”

• THE WORD OF GOD

The word of God is like water because it gives us life. During the temptation in the desert, Jesus told Satan “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:3). The word of God is vibrant with life, a word that carries the power of life, and the power of transformation, a word that is active in us and penetrates deep in our spirit and soul, joints and marrow. He who believes in Me, as the SCRIPTURE said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water”. (Jer 17:13). Lack of the word of God starves our soul. How often do we read the word of God?

• THE SPIRIT OF GOD

The living water that Christ is inviting us to drink today is the Spirit of God, the love that fills our hearts. Whoever allows himself to be guided by the Holy Spirit will discover true happiness and will need nothing else. In the Gospel according to John, the Samaritan woman leaves her water jug behind, she does not need it any longer because she has discovered another kind of water. We also need first to detach ourselves from material inclinations in order for our hearts to be filled with the spirit of God which is the living water. Today being the first scrutiny of our catechumens, let us pray for them to be able to detach themselves from material inclinations and waters of this world that quench our thirst forever.

In brief, the water in the well is a symbol of all the pleasures people seek, hoping to find happiness in them, but in the end, they are left empty and disappointed. Our mother church is therefore inviting you to search for the living water that will quench your thirst forever. Our quest for God, His Spirit, and His word will bring fulfillment to our heart’s desire. Material possession will give us pleasure for a moment, but they do not guarantee true happiness. Let us use this Lenten season let us search for the living water and remove any obstacles that prevent us from reaching these wells of salvation. “As the deer longs for running stream, so my soul longs for you, my God” (Ps 42:1).

PRAYER: Lord, give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty again. Amen

Spiritual readings for the week: (Read Ps 42)

Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD

 BE BLESSED!!   ((Contact our vocation office on +255629269140 or +254792299140))

“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the word and the spirit of Grace; and may the heart of Jesus live in the heart of all the people. Amen” SVD Prayer

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

THEME: “LENT AS A JOURNEY TO TRANSFIGURATION”

((Readings: 1^st: Gen 12:1-4; Ps: 32; 2^nd: 2Tim 1:8-10; Gos: Mt 17:1-9))

Today being the second Sunday of Lent, our Holy mother church is teaching us that Lent is a period of detachment from the past, renewal, and transformation. Jesus took some of his disciples to the mountain to pray, and while praying behold He was transfigured; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and they were talking with Him. It was a wonderful experience and the disciple wanted to build tents to make their dwelling in the presence of God. Lent is a period to experience transfiguration, transformation, change, and renewal of our life. We will experience transfiguration only if we are faithful in our prayer, and fasting.

Once, a woman fell into a deep coma for some hours. Waking up, she was very sad and she said to her children: “You should have allowed me to remain there.” Her children told her that they loved her so much, and still needed her. She was still describing the beauty and splendor of the city she saw herself in when her little daughter cried out: “Mummy, you were already in heaven. Please, let us go back there right now!” Like the apostles, this woman had a glimpse of the glory and splendor of the Eternal City. So, she did not want to return to this world.

In order for transfiguration to take place in our lives during this lent, we should be ready to do the following:

• OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

Last Sunday, of his disobedience to God, Adam was cursed. In the first reading, God commands Abraham to leave his country, family, pagan practices, and his property for an unknown land. Abram is tested with obedience to the will of God. By his Obedience to the unknown God, Abram who was pagan, old, and childless is promised blessings and protection. “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name famous; but with one condition. “Leave your country, your family, and your father´s house”.  Similarly, Saul obediently embraced the mission given by Christ to preach the Good News despite the hardship attached to it. Ultimately, Jesus obediently carried the cross to Calvary to pay our disobedience’s debt.

Abraham’s obedience to God brought blessing and transformation to his life. His name was changed to Abraham giving him another chance to rewrite his new history. Saul was now called Paul opening a new chapter in his life. Obedience to the will and commands of God attracts blessings in our life. God wants to bless you, and make you great and famous. God wants to change your name and history but you need to become obedient to his will. Let us use this period to repent from our disobedience.

• DETACHMENT FROM PAST

In order to walk in the present and future in your life you have to detach yourself from the past. You cannot embrace something new when you are still attached to the past and the old. Some of us cannot enjoy the present moment because we are too attached to past failures, pains, heartbreaks, and unforgiveness. Abam had to detach himself from his property (Materialism), old friends and family members, and pagan practices and embraced and walked to the unknown blessed future. Sometimes God wants us to detach ourselves from our current comfort zones and embrace the cross for some moments in order to experience resurrection. During this lent, God has a good plan to transform you like Abraham but on a condition that you must depart from your past. God is asking you today to detach yourself from sinful practices, bad company, materialism, and go forth with Him into a period of repentance, renewal of life, and transformation.

• READINESS TO WALK THE WAY OF THE CROSS

St. Paul explains that the process of Lenten transfiguration is a difficult process. We must prepare to encounter hardships along the way but we should depend on the grace of God. “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Tim 1:8) Detachment from past addictions, heartbreaks, and pains has never been easy for many people and is sometimes a painful process. It is also compared to following Jesus on the way to Calvary. The disciples wanted to build tents on the comforts of the mountain but Jesus did not allow them because that was a revelation of what their future will be like if they are faithful on their journey to calvary. Jesus took some disciples to the mountain to be strengthened by God through prayer. May this Eucharistic celebration on the Holy Mountain be a source of Grace and strength during moments of challenges.

In a nutshell, we are in a period of renewal and transformation of our life.  God wants to bless you like Abraham, change your name and history, make you prosperous and great, and remove shame and sin from your life but with few conditions: You must henceforth become obedient to his will, detach yourself from the dark past, and rely on his grace like Paul on this challenging journey. 

In each Holy Mass, our offering of bread and wine becomes transformed into the body and blood of Jesus.  Hence, just as the transfiguration strengthened the apostles in their time of trial, each Holy Mass should be our source of heavenly strength against our own temptations, and a source of renewal of our lives during Lent.  In addition, communion with Jesus should be a source of the daily transfiguration of both our minds and hearts. 

Prayer: Thy will be done. Amen!

Spiritual readings for the week: (Read Ps 27 and 1Kgs 19)

Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD

 BE BLESSED!!   ((Contact our vocation office on +255629269140 or +254792299140))

“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the word and the spirit of Grace; and may the heart of Jesus live in the heart of all the people. Amen” SVD Prayer

First reading Genesis 2:7-9;31-7

Psalm 51

Second reading Romans 5:12-19

Gospel Matthew 4: 1-11

Since last Wednesday we have started a new spiritual journey, the Lenten period. We have begun a forty days journey of fasting, praying, and almsgiving. This is a moment to be closer to God through our ways of living. The Lenten period offers us an opportunity to be familiar with the word of God in deep. Therefore, today being the first Sunday in the Lenten season, the word of God is inviting us to reflect on the theme: “The temptation and how to overcome it”. Today’s readings tell us that the devil is always near us and he does everything possible to trap us. But as Christians, we have the power to resist all his seductions.

Thus in the first reading taken from the book of Genesis, the sacred author has stressed how God out of his genius intention has breathed into the nostrils of our first parents. This means that Adam and Eve belong to God because they became the living soul. As creatures of God, freedom was given to them but unfortunately, both Adam and Eve misused their freedoms.

The serpent deceived Eve by asking her “Did God say you shall not eat of any tree of the garden? This question led Eve to doubt God by saying “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden but God said you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die”. Through her answer, Eve actually manifested her bitterness and her opposition against God’s recommendation. She quickly abandoned God’s recommendation and accepted the proposal of the serpent. She accepted the suggestion of the serpent and convinced her husband Adam to eat the fruit. Both of them failed to keep the commandment of the Lord.

The first Adam did not keep the commandment however, the second Adam in the person of Jesus Christ has demonstrated to us that it is possible to keep God’s recommendation. This is the central theme of the gospel of today. The Spirit of the Lord led Jesus to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The same devil who seduced Eve in the first reading has tempted our Lord Jesus Christ. He took an advantage of Jesu’s situation in the wilderness thinking that Jesus would fall into his trap like Eve. Three times he tried to deceive him: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread”, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down…”, “I will give you all these if you will fall down and worship me”. To each question, Jesus replied by quoting the Torah: the first response is coming from Deuteronomy 8: 3b, Satan based his second question on Psalm 91:11–12 but Jesus used Deuteronomy 6:16 to silence the tempter. To the third temptation, Jesus summarized chapter thirty-two of Exodus by simply saying “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve”. Dear friends, Jesus Christ won over the devil not because he is the Son of God but because he is united to God his Father and treasured the word of God in his heart.

Through Adam and Eve sin entered into the world but Jesus the new Adam defeated sin through his sacrifice on the cross. This is the message that saint Paul tried to communicate to the Romans. All of them (Adam, Eve, and Jesus) received the same recommendation while Adam and Eve decided to doubt God, Jesus put his trust in the Lord and by doing so he was able to defeat the devil.

            Dear friends, reflecting on the liturgical readings of today with the theme “Temptation and how to overcome it”, we are called to know that the tempter, the devil is near us, he is looking for an opportunity to trap us. Let us be awake. In order to be awake and to dismantle his plans, there are three things to be aware of:

1. Never doubt God’s commandment, Eve doubted the commandment which God gave them. From the moment we start doubting God and his commandment, we are giving an opportunity to the tempter to enter into our lives.
2. Be familiar with the word of God: we have noticed that Jesus silenced the devil by quoting him the biblical verses.  The only way we can let the devil be far away from us is by knowing the word of God and how to implement it.
3. To be aware of the sacrifice which Jesus has done for us: Jesus has redeemed us by dying for our sins. By acknowledging this we recognize the fact that our entire lives depend on God; therefore, we must put aside pride and selfishness.

Brethren, the Lenten season is a period that calls us to be humble and to return to God as the first reading of ash Wednesday reminded us.  May this first Sunday of lent help us to search for God and to return to him with sincerity, amen.

Fr. Agre Issere, SVD