3rd Sunday in Lent
08th February 2026
Lectionary Readings: Ex. 17:3-7; Ps. 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Rom. 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42
Theme: Jesus as the Source of Living Water …
“Living Water and Spiritual Thirst” (John 4:5-42)
We are now on our Lenten Journey as One Church of Christ all over the world. We see clearly now that the 3rd Sunday of Lent, (Year A) is centered on Jesus as the Source of Living Water. This liturgical year focuses on the spiritual journey of discovery, specifically through the lens of baptismal renewal and the fulfillment of spiritual thirst. Before we delve into the readings and connections, let’s take a brief look at what the church fathers say about this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. I still remember the words of my professor in Patrology and Church Fathers class in theology, which emphasized the importance of considering what the church fathers said before to understand the gospel and teachings of the church, especially in the present time, as they led us to greater clarity. We see that the Early Church Fathers interpreted the Gospel of the Samaritan Woman (cf. John 4:5–42 CSB p1494-1496) through rich symbolic lenses that connect deeply to the Lenten journey of baptismal preparation and conversion. We are familiar with St. Augustine, who, for him, this encounter is the symbol of the Gentile Church. We can say that the Church from the Gentiles, Augustine famously saw in the Samaritan woman a symbol of the “Church not yet made righteous“. But we can also say that this is a Universal Call, because she was a foreigner and a sinner, she represents the Gentiles (non-Jews) who would eventually find faith in Christ. We can also see a kind of symbolism in the Leaving the Water Jar. Augustine interpreted her leaving the water jar as a sign of leaving behind “carnal desires” or the “old life” once she had tasted the spiritual “living water“.
Also, let’s see what St. Ambrose says about this encounter: for him, it is Christ’s Thirst for Souls. We can see that The Weary Saviour, as Ambrose noted that while Jesus was physically weary from his journey, His true weariness came from the “unbelief” of humanity. From this, we can see in the Divine Exchange, Ambrose highlighted the paradox that Christ, who is the source of all water, “asks to drink who is also about to give,” showing that what He truly “drinks” is our salvation and good dispositions. Another symbolism that we can reflect on is the Wedding at the Well. Ambrose, along with other fathers, saw the meeting at the well as a “betrothal” scene, reminiscent of Old Testament figures like Isaac and Jacob, signifying Christ “marrying” His divinity to our humanity. St. Cyprian of Carthage also gives a nice connection from this encounter between Baptism and Unity, as the Living Water as Baptism. For Cyprian, the “living water” promised by Jesus is explicitly the grace of the Holy Spirit received in the Sacrament of Baptism. We can see another symbol in this as a kind of Source of Unity. Cyprian of Carthage used the image of the “well of living water” from the Song of Songs to argue that this grace belongs exclusively to the one, unified Church, emphasizing that one must be “within” to drink from this saving fountain. Lastly, for St. Ephrem the Syrian, this encounter is a kind of The Light of Revelation: recalling that this is The Noon-Day Meeting, therefore Ephrem and others noted the significance of the “sixth hour” (noon). Just as the sun is at its peak: Jesus the “Sun of Righteousness” reveals the full light of truth to a woman who had previously lived in the “shadows” of her past.
As Christian Catholics Journeying on the 3rd Sunday of lent we see clearly the invitation to recognize the link primarily, to the Sacraments of Initiation (cf. RCIA “the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” n. 128, 130) The First Scrutiny, this Sunday marks the first of three “Scrutiny” rites for self-searching and repentance for those preparing for baptism. and the theme of divine mercy through the encounter with the Samaritan woman. Also, we can see the Recent Popes have used this Sunday to highlight the “extraordinary catechesis on faith” found in the Gospel of ibid. John 4:5-42.
This 3rd Sunday of Lent also sees Pope Francis (cf. Angelus 2014, 2023), who emphasizes that “mercy is greater than prejudice”. He notes that the Samaritan woman’s decision to “leave her water jar” symbolizes setting aside the “interior water jar” of sins or distractions that weigh us down. Another good insight is from Pope Benedict XVI (cf. Angelus 2008) reflecting on Jesus’ physical thirst as an “entrance way to the mystery of God,” who thirsts for our love and faith just as we thirst for Him. We see this during the Lenten Message of 2026. In the Holy See’s Lenten Message, the theme of “conversion” is linked to the quality of our dialogue and relationships, mirroring Jesus’ respectful encounter with the outcast woman.
So, to all readers, I am inviting you to see clearly the messages of this Lenten journey that we see in the Living Water and Spiritual Thirst. The readings contrast physical thirst (the Israelite’s in the desert) with the spiritual thirst of the human soul that only Christ can quench. And also, the Baptismal Discovery for this Sunday marks a “triptych” for rediscovering the gift of Baptism, alongside the upcoming Sundays of the Man Born Blind and the Raising of Lazarus. Another point we can see is the Limitless Mercy of God, which the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman demonstrates that God’s mercy extends beyond traditional social, religious, and ethnic boundaries. I hope that we can see the Worship in Spirit and Truth that Jesus reveals that true worship is not confined to a specific physical location but is an internal reality of the heart.
In the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, we see a divine collision between human poverty and God’s abundance. Jesus asks for water because He is truly thirsty for her soul, while she comes to the well in the heat of the noon sun to avoid the judgment of her neighbors. The most powerful moment is when she leaves her water jar behind. That jar represents her old way of trying to satisfy her thirst, her past, her shame, and her failed attempts at happiness. For you and me? What is the “water jar” I am holding onto? What specific habit, resentment, or fear do I need to leave behind at the feet of Jesus this week? To receive the “living water,” she had to let go of the container she thought she needed. Therefore, again for you and me? What “wells” am I currently visiting on social media, success, comfort, or distractions that leave me feeling thirsty again just an hour later? This Lent, Jesus waits at the “well” of our daily lives, inviting us to trade our heavy, empty jars for a spring that never runs dry. I hope all of us have a meaningful Lent journey.
For Reflection and Discussion:
1. The woman went to the well at noon, the hottest part of the day, to be alone. In what areas of my life am I “hiding” from others or from God out of shame?
2. Jesus broke social barriers to speak to the woman. Who is the “Samaritan” in my life someone I avoid or judge whom God is calling me to treat with dignity and mercy? If Jesus offered to give me “living water” right now, what would I ask Him to heal or refresh in my heart?
Bibliography: Donald Senior, ET Al; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition 2010; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition 2011;The Catholic Prayer Bible 1993; Brown R.E; An Introduction to the New Testament 1997;Compendium of The Social Doctrine of the Church: pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Copyright 2004;Hubertus R. Drobner “THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH”;www.newadvent.org/fathers;www.researchonline.nd.edu.au; YEAR A DICASTERY NOTES (2004-05;www.press.vatican.va;
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Holy Land – Jerusalem, Bat Kol Secretary
[Copyright © 2026]
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