Third Sunday of Lent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 12 March 2023 Homily for 12 March 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Exodus 17: 3-7
So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (4)
Prophets and Champions, Leaders, and Religious people all have faced criticism at some point in their lives. Looking at Moses today, we must not be surprised that even he had to complain to God! There may be times when we are faced with similar criticism for the way we work or stand for a certain value. While we are not to look down upon others, we must reflect on our actions and respond accordingly. Accepting or acknowledging true feedback can help us in our personal development. But it is the remarks laced with hostility that we must be alert about. It is then that we can turn to Our Father for a solution. In true faith, we will find him similarly answering us! He will go before us, but we must carry our staff- the God-given talents with us. We often delve into our weaknesses more and leave are talents behind. Whether it is our faith, boldness, courage, humility, or other tangible gifts, we must be mindful of them at all times. Wrapping them in self-discipline and love we are sure to reach the rock of salvation!
Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-9
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! (1)
Amen!
Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8
And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (5-6)
Christ died for us once and for all, while we didn’t merit it. Therefore we are free indeed! This great truth is truly unimaginable for our little human minds. God became one of his creatures – one in every aspect except sin! He bore our sins to the cross and now he awaits our return to him! We still enjoy free will, the freedom to even reject God! He dignifies us with the freedom to choose, therefore we are not slaves! But in our ignorance, we have mostly rejected God in our lives, through our words, thoughts, and actions. Let us not rebel again like at Meribah and Massah, in Jesus’ name.
Amen!
Gospel: John 4: 5-42
Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. (6)
Jesus worked and walked just like us while he lived here. He used to be tired and thirsty; he felt every little discomfort we creatures feel! Yet he never succumbed to the temptation of sin.
“Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (14)
We know that Christ Jesus is our rock of salvation, our fount of eternal living water. Once we have allowed ourselves to truly taste the waters that Christ offers, we are bound to thirst no more. For example, the bad habits that held us captive previously, will gradually or suddenly vanish. Our desires get conformed to the new avatar we are metamorphosing into! Like the caterpillar, we will find new wings to fly and muscles to gain strength! The spring of life surging in our veins will nurture new tissue to withstand and resist any onslaught of temptation. May we always come to the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ! Reading and meditating on the Word of God; and receiving the Holy Eucharist regularly, is a sure way to receive the living waters in abundance from the Lord! Let us commit to these practices and be strengthened. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
