This weekend’s readings invite us into the deep thirst of the human heart. In the Book of Exodus, we find the Israelites in the desert at Massah and Meribah, weary and complaining, crying out, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?” Their thirst was real, but beneath it was something even deeper: a testing of the Lord’s presence among them. How often, in our own deserts – whether they be illness, family struggles, loneliness, or uncertainty- do we ask the same question: “Is the Lord in our midst or not?” Yet God does not respond with anger. He tells Moses to strike the rock, and from that hard, unyielding stone flows living water. The Lord provides. He is faithful, even when we waver. The rock in the desert becomes a sign that God can bring life where we see only barrenness.
In the Gospel from the Gospel of John, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well – a meeting that changes her life. Our Lord asks her for a drink, but in truth He is the one who thirsts for her faith. He offers her “living water,” water that wells up to eternal life. She comes to the well at noon, perhaps to avoid others, burdened by her past. Yet Jesus speaks to her with mercy and truth. He does not shame her; He reveals her dignity and calls her to something greater. And she, transformed, runs back to her town to proclaim, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done.” This is the journey of every disciple. When we allow Christ to meet us in our thirst, when we bring Him our sins and our questions, He fills us with grace, and sends us out as witnesses. May we come to this Sunday’s Eucharist asking the Lord to strike the rock of our hearts, that His living water may flow freely within us.
We have made available the “Exorcist Files” books for the parish. These are much more costly books, so we ask if you take one to consider giving a donation in the box near them. We bought them at a cheaper rate than you will find online. This is a great book to learn what every Catholic should know about the demonic, and how to keep it out of your lives. It will be very helpful during this Lenten Season to know what to rid yourself of, and how to live the holy life all the more in sacramental grace. I urge you to take one and read it and pass it on to others.
Lastly, as we prepare the Elect for baptism these readings in the Lenten season catechize them and us on the life of faith. Pray for them as they prepare for the initiation Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion, at Easter. Pray for the Candidates who will be received into the Church, Confirmed, and receive their First Communion, during the Easter Season. Pray for our young people preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion in the Easter Season at the Cathedral. We just had our second graders participate in their first Reconciliation. What an exciting time. So much life and grace being poured into our people as we continue to grow as a parish. Continue to pray for them all.
Father Arisman