Homily of the 3rd Sunday of Lent
By Fr Oluwafemi Victor Orilua CSSp
Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-42
It is soothing to know or understand that God loves us despite our flaws. He keeps searching for us; making continuous efforts to reach out to us even in our doubts. However, having known that God does not give up on us, it is safer not to postpone our cooperation with Him, lest we respond when our indulgence has taken us through paths that can give us lasting or very deep scars.
We are called to exercise faith in God’s loving presence and His unbiased provisions. While the Israelites murmured against Moses in the wilderness and were doubting God’s presence, the Lord commanded him to strike his rod on the rock to give them water to quench their thirst. “Moses called the place Massah and Meribah because of the fault- finding of the children of Israel, and because they put the Lord to the test by saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?'”
Moreover, the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at Jacob’s well expressed her doubts in Jesus’ power until the Lord opened her life script to her. And when the Lord promised her a living water, she began to long for such bounty, which promised to satiate her inner longing.
As the Lord gave water to the Israelites in the wilderness despite their complaints, He did the same for the woman at the well. It was a physical water He gave in the wilderness, but promised a spiritual one to the woman at the well despite her doubt.
God understands our unbelief. He always puts up with our ignorance. Through his deeds, He continues to draw us closer to Himself. If we could accept and acknowledge that He is near, we will never become discouraged in our struggles with life. If He satisfied those who put Him to the test, if He made Himself known to those who doubt Him, He will do more for those who trust in Him.
May His grace always speak for us, and may we always know that He is near. Amen.
