Introduction

In Year A, the Church proclaims three great Gospel passages on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent from the Gospel of John: the Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus. These readings form the ancient baptismal catechesis used to prepare catechumens for Easter. Through these texts of water, light, and life, the Church accompanies those preparing for Baptism — and reminds those already baptized of their own rebirth in Christ.

Today’s readings proclaim Christ as the true source of living water. He alone can satisfy the deepest thirst of the human heart.

1st Reading – Exodus 17:3-7

In those days, in their thirst for water,
the people grumbled against Moses,
saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?
Was it just to have us die here of thirst
with our children and our livestock?”
So Moses cried out to the LORD,
“What shall I do with this people?
a little more and they will stone me!”
The LORD answered Moses,
“Go over there in front of the people,
along with some of the elders of Israel,
holding in your hand, as you go,
the staff with which you struck the river.
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.
Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it
for the people to drink.”
This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
The place was called Massah and Meribah,
because the Israelites quarreled there
and tested the LORD, saying,
“Is the LORD in our midst or not?”

Our first reading describes events that took place very early in the Exodus, about three months after they left Egypt. Continue reading “Mar 8, 2026: 3rd Sunday of Lent (A)” →