Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part
Daily Marriage Tip for March 23, 2014:
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Ps 95:8) Do you harden your heart against God…or against your spouse? Pray today for a tenderness of heart toward your beloved, even when he or she repeats an annoying habit. God has patience with us; it’s a great example of the patience spouses should […]
Sunday Scripture Study
Third Sunday of Lent- Cycle A
March 23, 2014
Click here for USCCB readings
Opening Prayer
First Reading:
Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm: 95:1-2,6-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2,5-8
Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42
- This Sunday’s Gospel reading takes place early in Jesus’ ministry, on the heels of his baptism in the Jordan, the wedding at Cana, and his conversation with Nicodemus about the need to be born anew from water and the Spirit (John 1—3).
- Jesus and his disciples are traveling from Judea, north to Galilee. There were two possible routes—through Samaria, or a longer route that bypassed that area.
- Most Jews making the journey avoided going through Samaria. This was because of the longstanding enmity between the two peoples (verse 9) going back to Old Testament times (Ezra 4:1ff). The Jews considered the Samaritans, who claimed some ancestry to the OT patriarchs (verse 12) to be half-pagan(2 Kings 17:24-41).
- The meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman takes place at noon. Going to the village well to retrieve the day’s household water supply was a task usually done in the morning. The fact that this woman chooses a time when there would be no other women around indicates she wanted to avoid contact with them, perhaps because of her reputation.
- These facts, coupled with the cultural and religious taboos against men speaking with unrelated women, made Jesus’ addressing this woman all the more shocking.
- A careful reading of this story shows the gradual unfolding of conversion as Jesus, starting from a casual conversation, brings her to a deeper understanding.
QUESTIONS:
- In the 1st Reading, from where does the water come from? Who does St. Paul identify this in some way with (1 Corinthians 10:4)? What does Jesus promise he will give those who believe in him (John 7:38)? In the Gospel, what does he promise the woman at the well (verse 14)?
- What is significant about the Gospel story taking place in Samaria?
- Since “nice girls” did not come to draw water at noontime, why do you think Jesus risked his reputation to ask a favor of this woman?
- How would you describe the woman’s response? How does Jesus turn the tables on her in verse 10? In the woman’s reply, what is she really saying?
- Why are the disciples surprised to find Jesus with this woman?
- What does leaving her water jar reveal about Jesus’ impact on the woman? How did she affect others? What can we learn from her telling others about Jesus?
- Considering your interest in “spiritual things,” are you more like the disciples or the woman? Why? Is doing God’s will as essential for you as eating food?
- What are you constantly “thirsting” for? How has Jesus satisfied you?
Closing Prayer
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 439, 694, 728, 1179, 2557, 2560-61, 2652, 2824
Scatter your seed, apostolic soul. The wind of grace will bear it away if the furrow where it falls is not worthy.... Sow, and be certain that the seed will take root and bear fruit.
--St Josemaria Escriva