Third Sunday of Lent
Reflection
“...[I]n their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?’” Ex 17:3
The people grumbled! Can you believe it? God saved them from slavery in Egypt. He guided them through the desert to Israel, to freedom. It was in the desert that they entered into a sacred covenant with God. So why would they grumble? Well, it was the desert. Water and food were not plentiful; they only came about through God’s providence. So they grumbled and complained. I can believe it; I would have grumbled, too. The Israelites eventually appreciated their newfound freedom. But it took time to get there.
These six weeks of Lent are akin to the Israelites’ forty years in the desert. It was out there, totally dependent upon God, that they came to embrace the covenant. We go to the desert through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We go without food or activity to give more time to God in prayer. We find new ways to be generous with the gifts God has given us. Like the Israelites, we may grumble about our Lenten obligations. Instead, let’s see them as opportunities to embrace the Lord, and not burdens.
We have a chance here to embrace the Risen Christ. There’s no need to grumble! The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus awaits us. Our Lenten practices are moments of grace.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the grace to enter this sacred season, to live it fully so that I will emerge with you from the empty tomb at Easter, filled with hope. Amen.
Rev. Msgr. Bernard W. Bourgeois, Board of Trustees
First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42
Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website
