Lent is a season of prayer and conversion for all Christians, but it is also a time of final preparation for those who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Today’s readings are especially significant, as Catholic parishes throughout the world celebrate the First Scrutiny prayers for the OCIA Elect.
For the next three Sundays, the Lectionary shifts from the Year A focus on Matthew’s Gospel and turns instead to the Gospel according to John. This Gospel is distinctive in its literary style: dramatic narratives of Jesus’ actions are followed by extended theological reflections. Running through the entire Gospel is one essential proclamation: Jesus is the Son of God.
To understand today’s Gospel passage, we must also recall the strained relationship between Jews and Samaritans. Though both traced their spiritual ancestry to Abraham and Jacob, a political and religious split in 931 BC divided the Kingdom of Israel in the north, with its capital in Samaria, from the Kingdom of Judah in the south, centered in Jerusalem. By the time of Jesus, hostility between the two groups was deeply ingrained.
Against this backdrop, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well as he travels from Judea to Galilee. Tired from the journey, he asks her for a drink – an astonishing breach of cultural and religious norms. What follows is a profound conversation about living water, true worship, and eternal life. The woman gradually comes to recognize Jesus as a prophet, especially when he reveals knowledge of her complicated personal history.
The heart of the passage comes when she says, “I know that the Messiah is coming.” Jesus responds simply and powerfully: “I am he.”
The woman immediately becomes a witness. She runs to her town and proclaims what she has discovered. Through her testimony, many Samaritans come to believe. Despite her broken past, she becomes Jesus’ first missionary by bringing the Good News beyond the boundaries of Judah.
Her story speaks directly to the OCIA Elect and to all of us. God’s grace is not hindered by our shortcomings. As Saint Paul reminds us today: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
3rd Sunday of Lent Entrance Antiphon When I Prove My Holiness Among You [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #72
Antiphon Option 2 from Ezekiel chapter 36 pertains so well to today’s Gospel: “When I prove my holiness among you, I will gather you from all the foreign lands; and I will pour clean water upon you and cleanse you from all your impurities.”
Entrance Chant Overflow (Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #336; Never Too Young #251
Matt Maher’s song references the water imagery from both the Entrance Antiphon and the Gospel.
Responsorial Psalm If Today You Hear His Voice, Harden Not Your Hearts (Ben Walther)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 104
Psalm 95 responds to the First Reading’s account of the Israelites’ grumbling to Moses in the desert because there was no water to drink. Ben Walther offers a tuneful verbatim setting.
Lenten Gospel Acclamation Glory to You, Word of God: Mass of the Desert (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 106
The acclamation verse is taken from key passages of faith that we will hear proclaimed in the Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Prayer of St. Augustine (Ken Canedo)
Augustine’s conversion after his squandered life of sinfulness is one of the most moving stories from the Communion of Saints. This song captures the great saint’s reflection on his returning to the Lord. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
3rd Sunday of Lent Communion Antiphon For Anyone Who Drinks It, Says the Lord [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #73
The antiphon is another quote from today’s Gospel. I recommend singing through this setting prayerfully several times to allow the text to sink into the hearts of those who come to the altar for Communion.
Communion Chant Come, All You Thirsty (Kathleen Basi)
Breaking Bread #303
Kathleen Basi offers a thoughtful reflection on Isaiah 55 and is so appropriate to today’s readings about quenching thirst. Her soaring melody is lovely. This new song is a welcome addition to our repertoire.
Sending Forth We Belong to You (Trevor Thomson)
Spirit & Song #368; Never Too Young #269; Breaking Bread #645
“We Belong to You” is a song for Christian Initiation that sends us forth from this Eucharist with hope. “In the waters of your mercy . . . We belong to you.”
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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