Third Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Today’s Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8; John 4:5–42. The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman invites us to ask, “For what do we thirst?” Societal pressures can keep us busy and become an easy distraction from what really matters. It’s not hard to fill our day with insignificant things. When Jesus questions the woman, she doesn’t seem to quite understand that he is the “gift of God,” the living water. Is she too dis-tracted to notice? It’s not until he reveals her history that she begins to see that he is the Messiah, the one who comes to unite the nations. Here is a moment of conversion and faith. She quickly runs to tell the others who also come to believe. Like the woman, we are thirsty for the living water. The

question is, what keeps us from quenching our thirsts? Have you become acquainted with Jesus, the living water?

This reading is always proclaimed on the Third Sunday of Lent when a parish community has candidates for Baptism as part of the First Scrutiny. The goal of the scru-tiny is to uncover the sins that keep us from a life in Christ. As we examine ourselves this Lenten season, we are asked, just like the elect, to uncover the sins in our lives and expose them so they might be healed and transformed. We have a choice: do we die to ourselves so that we might embrace Christ, or do we continue to look in all the wrong places and never quench our thirst? Consider taking a moment to share your story with one of the elect.

Living WaterHoly God, font of all life,in the waters of new birth you brought us

to life through Jesus, your Son.Look with favor upon your people,who, like the woman at the well,desire never to thirst again.Give us living water and quench our

stony heartsso that your Holy Spirit might

dwell within usand fill us with your love and peace.Drinking from the wellspring of holiness,may we taste your presence and persevere

in faith.Make, O Lord, our lives like an

ever-flowing springto proclaim your glorious name amid our

parched and anxious world.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, February 28, 2016Living Water

Reproducibles for Lent–Triduum–Easter 2016

© 2016 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Timothy A. Johnston. Illustrated by Steve Musgrave. Scripture quotations are from The New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on August 21, 2015.

This Week at HomeMonday, February 29, 2016HearingBoth Elisha and Elijah end up serving non-Israelites because they weren’t accepted by their own people. The end of the Gospel indicates that the people became furious with Jesus. Like Elisha and Elijah, Jesus is rejected in his own land. We learn in this passage that Jesus was sent to save all people and those who hear the Word of God will be drawn in and healed. By spending time in silence today, you may become attentive to the call of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Readings: 2 Kings 5:1–5ab; Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24–30.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016MercyIn today’s Gospel, Jesus paints a picture of mercy as he seeks to teach his disciples about forgiveness. It’s not always easy to forgive a neighbor, but as Christians, we must strive to fol-low Jesus’ example. Like the psalmist, many of us plead that God will remember the times he bestowed mercy. Do you remember to be merciful? How can Lent be a turning point for you? Whom do you need to forgive? Pray for a contrite heart. Today’s Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34–43; Psalm 25:4–5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8–9; Matthew 18:21–35.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016Law/LoveBoth readings today speak about the Law. Many people shy away from this word. Let’s consider it another way. Jesus says he fulfills the Law. His very presence reveals the Kingdom and his ministry is about preaching the justice and peace of God. To follow him means to suffer and to love one’s neighbor. If we are genuine in this mission and seek forgiveness when we fail at loving, Jesus says we will be “great in the kingdom of heaven.” Spend a few moments examining your conscience. Today’s Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5–9; Psalm 147:12–13, 15–16, 19–20; Matthew 5:17–19.

Thursday, March 3, 2016Optional Memorial of St. Katharine Drexel, VirginWhy is it so hard to listen? What makes it so difficult to fol-low God’s will? God is madly in love with us and desires for us to be in relationship. If we listen to God’s voice with open hearts, we will be changed and God will fill us with love. This love will overflow so that we can share it. Katharine Drexel’s heart was so open to God’s love that when she saw oppression, she sought to alleviate suffering. She established schools for Native Americans and African Americans. Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 7:23–28; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9; Luke 11:14–23.

Friday, March 4, 2016LoveThe Gospel gives us a powerful message today. Jesus com-bines two great commandments that Moses gave to Israel. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) calls us to love God with our entire being. Leviticus 19:18 reminds us to also love our neighbor. The scribe, who had witnessed all the distress around Jesus, realizes that love, not sacrifices, is what God desires. Because he realizes this, Jesus tells him he’s not far from the Kingdom. How do you understand love as your mis-sion? Consider writing down the Shema and using it in prayer. Today’s Readings: Hosea 14:2–10; Psalm 81:6c–8a, 8bc–9, 10–11ab, 14 and 17; Mark 12:28–34.

Saturday, March 5, 2016ReturnThe prophet Hosea is pleading for Israel to return to the love of the Lord. If they do so, God will heal and revive them. Hosea reminds us that God desires steadfast love. In the Gospel, we see this vulnerable love in the tax collector who honestly approaches God to seek mercy. God will have mercy on those who love him. Today’s Readings: Hosea 6:1–6; Psalm 51:3–4, 18–19, 20–21ab; Luke 18:9–14.

Third Sunday of Lent

Today’s Readings: Exodus 3:1–8a, 13–15; Psalm 103:1–2, 3–4, 6–7, 8, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 10–12; Luke 13:1–9. Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel hopefully disturb you and challenge you to ask, “What must I die to in order to bear fruit?” This death is a sacrifice for others. You lay aside your ambitions for the good of the community. You name the sin that entraps you and keeps you from God. Such dying leads to the life promised by Christ because it aligns us to his Paschal Mystery. Jesus does not blunt his words in the Gospel. He is very clear that if you do not repent you will die. Sit with that for a moment. What thoughts or feelings are present? Jesus’ words seem rather harsh, but like Moses who led the Israelites out of slavery, Jesus frees us from our slavery

and gives us life. For what do you need to repent? What is consuming you and keeping you from serving others?

Both the psalm and the parable about the fig tree remind us that God is kind and merciful. God does not give up on us or abandon us, but waits patiently for us to bear fruit. What is necessary for one to bear fruit? Repentance! During this season, we have the opportunity to examine and excise what is choking us and causing us to be barren. Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (and other works of mercy), we begin to nourish the soul and open ourselves to God’s mercy. With friends or family, consider taking time this week to meditate on passages from these readings and dis-cuss how repentance leads to new life.

MercyMerciful God,even when we are slow to repent,you show us kindness and mercy.When our hearts are blinded by sinwe turn away from you and slowly wither

like the fig tree.O God of compassion, renew our heartsso that, like Moses, we might hear

your nourishingand life-giving words and turn from sin;may we bear abundant fruit and be signs

of your mercyto those who live in darkness.Give us the grace to turn from our

worldly desiresand seek the repentance you graciously offerso that, standing on holy ground,we may see your magnificenceand give you glory for ever and ever.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, February 28, 2016Repent

Reproducibles for Lent–Triduum–Easter 2016

© 2016 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Timothy A. Johnston. Illustrated by Steve Musgrave. Scripture quotations are from The New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on August 21, 2015.

This Week at HomeMonday, February 29, 2016HearingBoth Elisha and Elijah end up serving non-Israelites because they weren’t accepted by their own people. The end of the Gospel indicates that the people became furious with Jesus. Like Elisha and Elijah, Jesus is rejected in his own land. We learn in this passage that Jesus was sent to save all people and those who hear the Word of God will be drawn in and healed. By spending time in silence today, you may become attentive to the call of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Readings: 2 Kings 5:1–5ab; Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24–30.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016MercyIn today’s Gospel, Jesus paints a picture of mercy as he seeks to teach his disciples about forgiveness. It’s not always easy to forgive a neighbor, but as Christians, we must strive to fol-low Jesus’ example. Like the psalmist, many of us plead that God will remember the times he bestowed mercy. Do you remember to be merciful? How can Lent be a turning point for you? Whom do you need to forgive? Pray for a contrite heart. Today’s Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34–43; Psalm 25:4–5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8–9; Matthew 18:21–35.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016Law/LoveBoth readings today speak about the Law. Many people shy away from this word. Let’s consider it another way. Jesus says he fulfills the Law. His very presence reveals the Kingdom and his ministry is about preaching the justice and peace of God. To follow him means to suffer and to love one’s neighbor. If we are genuine in this mission and seek forgiveness when we fail at loving, Jesus says we will be “great in the kingdom of heaven.” Spend a few moments examining your conscience. Today’s Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5–9; Psalm 147:12–13, 15–16, 19–20; Matthew 5:17–19.

Thursday, March 3, 2016Optional Memorial of St. Katharine Drexel, VirginWhy is it so hard to listen? What makes it so difficult to fol-low God’s will? God is madly in love with us and desires for us to be in relationship. If we listen to God’s voice with open hearts, we will be changed and God will fill us with love. This love will overflow so that we can share it. Katharine Drexel’s heart was so open to God’s love that when she saw oppression, she sought to alleviate suffering. She established schools for Native Americans and African Americans. Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 7:23–28; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9; Luke 11:14–23.

Friday, March 4, 2016LoveThe Gospel gives us a powerful message today. Jesus com-bines two great commandments that Moses gave to Israel. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) calls us to love God with our entire being. Leviticus 19:18 reminds us to also love our neighbor. The scribe, who had witnessed all the distress around Jesus, realizes that love, not sacrifices, is what God desires. Because he realizes this, Jesus tells him he’s not far from the Kingdom. How do you understand love as your mis-sion? Consider writing down the Shema and using it in prayer. Today’s Readings: Hosea 14:2–10; Psalm 81:6c–8a, 8bc–9, 10–11ab, 14 and 17; Mark 12:28–34.

Saturday, March 5, 2016ReturnThe prophet Hosea is pleading for Israel to return to the love of the Lord. If they do so, God will heal and revive them. Hosea reminds us that God desires steadfast love. In the Gospel, we see this vulnerable love in the tax collector who honestly approaches God to seek mercy. God will have mercy on those who love him. Today’s Readings: Hosea 6:1–6; Psalm 51:3–4, 18–19, 20–21ab; Luke 18:9–14.