Third Sunday of Lent (3/12/2023)

Write an expository homily for the Third Sunday of Lent using these scripture passages: Ex 17:3-7;Rom 5:1-2,5-8;Jn 4:5-42 ; while cross-referencing the Fathers of the Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of recent popes throughout. 

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather together on this Third Sunday of Lent, we are reminded of the great love that God has for us. In our readings today, we hear about God's care and compassion for us, and we are called to turn towards Him with open hearts and minds.

The first reading today from the Book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert and complaining to Moses about their thirst. God then provided water for them from a rock. This story reveals God's care for His people, even when they doubt and complain. The Fathers of the Church, such as St. John Chrysostom, taught that this water from the rock was a prefiguration of the spiritual refreshment that Christ offers us through the Holy Spirit.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. He writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:1-2). This passage teaches us that it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are reconciled with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms this, stating that "Justification is the most excellent work of God's love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit" (CCC 2020).

In the Gospel reading, we hear about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This story reveals the universality of God's love and His desire to reach out to all people, regardless of their background or status. The woman at the well came to draw water in the middle of the day, possibly because she was ostracized from her community. Yet, Jesus offers her the gift of living water that would satisfy her thirst forever. The Fathers of the Church, such as St. Augustine, saw this story as a symbol of the sacrament of baptism, where we are cleansed of our sins and filled with the grace of God.

All of these readings remind us of God's love for us and His desire for us to be reconciled with Him. As we journey through Lent, we are called to examine our lives and turn away from sin. We are called to live in the grace of God, which is made available to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The writings of recent popes, such as Pope Benedict XVI, remind us that "The love of Christ draws us to repentance and reconciliation. He is the One who has reconciled us with God."

In our own lives, we are called to be witnesses to God's love and to share it with others. We can do this through acts of charity, prayer, and by living out our faith in our daily lives. Pope Francis reminds us that "The Gospel is the message of God's love for each person and for all people, a love that is manifested in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Let us therefore open our hearts to this message of love and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the people God has called us to be.

In conclusion, let us pray that we may have the courage and strength to turn away from sin and to be reconciled with God. May we draw inspiration from the readings today and the teachings of the Fathers of the Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of recent popes. And may the grace of God, made available to us through Jesus Christ, sustain us on our journey towards eternal life. Amen.

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