Thought for the Week
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
FROM ST. AUGUSTINE SPIRITUALITY CENTER
Laredo, Texas | March 3 - 9, 2024
Third Sunday of Lent. Exodus 17:3-7. Psalm 95. Romans 4:1-2,5-8. John 4: 5-19, 19-26,39,40-42.
Have you ever been thirsty or hungry and grumbled? Water is the most basic thing for the preservation of life. Jesus uses this image for his teaching about living water – eternal life. This discourse with the Samaritan woman is a deep theological discussion about that living water. Jesus is very specific that the worship of the living God will neither take place on Jacob’s Mountain or in Jerusalem. “...true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth and, indeed, the Father seeks such people.” Jesus is opening up his Way to all people throughout the world. He starts with the Samaritans, a hated people to the Jews.
So, there sits Jesus all alone at the well, thirsty and hungry. The apostles have gone into town for supplies. Along comes a Samaritan woman at high noon, unfortunately not named. Perhaps, because we are all that Samaritan woman and we can substitute our name. She is shocked to find a man sitting there and actually talking to her. This was forbidden behavior under the law, especially to a supposed prostitute. She is not afraid to challenge his assertions about the importance of water. Jesus opens her mind to a deeper understanding of the importance of water in the spiritual realm. She has a thirst for such a water; she knows the prophesy of the coming of the Messiah and knows that he will tell them everything. Jesus confirms this belief and tells her that he is the one. She is so excited, that she forgets her water bottle at the well and runs off to the village to tell the others. “Could he possibly be the Christ? Come and see.” Like “Sam,” we should leave everything and run to tell others the Good News. It is interesting, that the people believed this “fallen” woman and followed her directions. The most unlikely person may have the words of life for us. Are we listening?
The apostles were amazed and probably shocked that Jesus was conversing with a woman and an “enemy.” They had far less understanding, than the woman. What kind of food and drink did he already have? Did someone else come by to feed him? Then, he talks about the reaper, who is already gaining benefits for kingdom – himself. They, too, will be reapers but it will take time for them to fully understand their ministry. We are reapers, too. We need to be out and about and bringing in the harvest of souls through our prayers and actions.
Another practice that might be helpful for Lent is the Holy Mass or Eucharist. The Mass becomes pretty routine; I should know, because I’ve gone to Mass almost every day of my life. Nothing seems to change – the same old words and ritual. However, that’s just it – the words – the Word – Jesus. Select one or two words or phrases and concentrate on them during Mass. Crack them open and get at the meat, like, “behold,” you came in mercy,” “eternal covenant,” “remember,” “reconcile,” and “thanksgiving.”
In the 15th century St. Casimir was a holy, celibate and prayerful young man. He resisted war, as an answer for peace. He reigned as king of Poland briefly and died at 25 of a lung ailment.
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are early martyrs of the Church. Though separated by status, one a rich, affluent woman and the other a slave, they were bound together by their love and faith. Perpetua was the mother of seven children and had her baby with her when arrested. Felicity was pregnant. Though the law forbade the killing of pregnant women, she delivered shortly before her death. The babies were adopted by other Christians. These women were Africans of Carthage in North Africa.
St. John of God was a Portuguese soldier in the 15th century turned health-care worker in Spain, who formed the Brothers Hospitallers, a worldwide Catholic religious institute dedicated to the care of the poor, sick and those with mental disorders. He is the patron of firefighters, heart patients, hospitals, nurses, the sick, booksellers and printers.
St. Frances of Rome was a wife and mother in the 14th century. When she became a widow, she cared for the poor and sick. She turned part of her estate into a hospital. She founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a group of widowed women, who did not take vows, but served the destitute. She had the gift of miracles and ecstasy, as well as, the bodily vision of her guardian angel, had revelations concerning Purgatory and Hell, and foretold the ending of the Western Schism. She could read the secrets of consciences and detect plots of diabolical origin.
“If you hear his voice, harden not your hearts,” Psalm 95
Sister Rosemarie Goins, a Felician Franciscan Sister