This is the day of the first scrutiny of the elect preparing for Easter baptism. The purpose of this rite, celebrated publicly at Sunday Mass, is to assist the elect in their process of final preparation: Lent is their period of purification and enlightenment. They — and the whole Christian community with them — are invited to examine their lives in the light of this Gospel passage to discover new insight into what is weak and in need of strengthening, and what is strong in need of affirming. In short, we are asked to thirst for living water, and respond to Jesus’ revealing and healing presence just as the Samaritan woman did.

There are several themes in this story that are woven together like multicolored threads in a beautiful fabric. Careful reading and attentive thought are needed to begin to discover its meaning.

Jesus, tired and hungry, asks his disciples for bread (v 8). When they bring it, he teaches them about the deeper nourishment of God’s will (vv 31-34). Likewise he asks the Samaritan woman for water because he was thirsty (v 7) and then he tells her about his own living water (vv 13-14). Note that he offers eternal bread and living water only to those who seek bread and water for others — even for enemies (remember that as a Jew, Jesus was an enemy of the Samaritans). When we extend ourselves to fill others’ needs, Jesus reveals himself through them (see Mt 25:31-46).

Jesus turns from the differences between Jewish and Samaritan forms of worship to speak of genuine worship in Spirit and in truth (vv 20-24), and he tells his disciples to look at the fields ready for harvest as a sign of the spiritual harvest of humankind ready for God’s self-revealing love.

Finally, note that as the Samaritan woman gradually becomes aware of who Jesus is, she also becomes aware of her own identity (vv 16-19, 29, 39).

Jesus’ presentation of himself as living water provides the link connecting this reading with the Gospel. The dissatisfaction and quarreling of the Israelites in the desert contrasts with the growth and acceptance of faith by the sinful Samaritan woman. "Massah" means "a testing" and "Meribah" means "quarreling." The attitude of the Israelites here is basically pagan: "What’s the use of believing in God if he doesn’t fill our needs?" In other words, testing God means trying to make him our own servant.

This psalm is a call to praise God in joyful fidelity, aware that it is wee who must be tested before him, not him by us. The concluding verses look back to the unfortunate incident in the desert of Israel’s past as an example of how not to respond to God. Response: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

Chapter 5 is a transition section in this letter, summing up the doctrine of justification by faith which precedes it, and leading into the concrete demands of the Christian life which follow. Paul begins by considering our present experience of justification by faith as the source of peace and hope (vv 1-2). Then he finds in this present reality two signs of God’s eternal love: the presence of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ death for our sakes (vv 3-8).

1. How does knowing Jesus help you to know yourself? How does knowing yourself help you to know Jesus?

2. What is the meaning of water in these readings? Discuss its significance in Scripture, in the sacramental life of the Church, and in your own life’s experience.