The Annunciation

The Prayer of the Day relates the Annunciation to the other events of redemption that we contemplate during Lent:

O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought into the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

On this traditional feast day, we think of many things: the redemptive purpose of God the Father, the splendor of the messenger Gabriel, the gracious humility and faithful obedience of the Virgin Mary, and the mystery of the Incarnation. We also realize that all these wondrous aspects of the story receive their meaning through the Cross, Passion, and Resurrection of the One whose Birth is announced.

In almost any year, the Annunciation brings a bit of brightness into the Lenten season of repentance and discipline. This year, our situation is even more somber in the coronavirus pandemic and its reminders of human frailty and mortality. We need to hear the good news of redemption through Jesus Christ. He comes to be Immanuel, "God with us," and He is still with us in all circumstances. His abiding presence and grace are cause for joy even in somber times!

Lent 3 (A) John 4:5-26, 39-42

The Gospel for this Sunday (John 4:5-26, 39-42) is the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This account is very meaningful but also rather long (even in the shorter version). Several background details are significant. To start, it is noteworthy that Jesus and His disciples even pass through the area. Many pious Jews went out of the way to avoid traveling through Samaria.  Then Jesus strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman. Many first-century rabbis avoided talking to women in general let alone Samaritans. And as the story unfolds, we see that Jesus knows that this woman is not the most reputable example. Furthermore, Jesus risks ritual pollution by asking for a drink of water from such a woman and her non-Jewish containers.

All these cultural and religious factors make our Lord's reaching out in ministry so striking. For although Jesus can use a drink of water, the real issues are much deeper. He knows the thirst of the woman's heart and offers her living water. He sees her life and her need for salvation, both as a Samaritan and as an individual. He calls her to worship of God in spirit and in truth. And such true worship can only be offered through the Messiah who transcends the differences between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus asserts that He is that Messiah. The woman believes, and through the woman, many people of the area hear and believe.

We could say many things about this story, but let us highlight two points.
1) Christ's message is for all kinds of people. He calls people from Jerusalem, to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. He offers spiritual water which can satisfy the deepest longings, the deepest thirsts of the human soul.
2) Jesus makes unique claims about who He is and asks people to respond in personal faith. The message of Jesus can satisfy the soul because He is unique. He is the Messiah, the Savior sent by God, needed by Jews, Samaritans and all people. He brings the new day when people from everywhere are asked to believe, to have faith in Him. Only through Him can people anywhere worship the heavenly Father in spirit and in truth.