Third Sunday of Lent

March 8, 2026

John 4: 5-42

The unnamed Samaritan woman is a key figure in today’s gospel from John. On the surface we know very little about her, except that she came to draw water in the middle of the day, she was surprised to find Jesus talking with her; she had 5 husbands, and the man she had at that moment was not her husband. But in reality we know a bit more.

It was odd that the woman was coming to the well in the middle of the day. The village women usually came in early morning or late afternoon so that it would be cooler. The also came to meet with the other women of the village to trade gossip and get advise. Why was this woman alone and coming to the well in the heat of the day. I suspect that if this woman had met any other women, not to mention a man, she would have ignored her and been ignored herself. Why? It is obvious that the woman at least had loose morals, and, at this point in her life, was probably considered a prostitute. She was something of an outcast, someone not to be associated with by respectable people. So why is she so important in today’s gospel passage?

Next, let us look at Jesus. He is a Jewish man who is a rabbi, a teacher, and worships in Jerusalem. He considers that salvation comes from the Jews. And yet, here he is talking with a Samaritan woman. Jews did not associate with Samaritans due to disagreements over religion. The Samaritans were a mixed people who had lived in the land while the Jews were in exile; the Jews considered them impure. The Samaritans considered the Jews as tainted because the had lived in other lands during the exile. And not only that, Jesus had spoken to a woman who was not related to him which was not socially done. The woman was surprised Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan, the disciples on their return were surprised he was talking to a woman. On top of all this, the woman was a prostitute.

But, from this encounter we learn several important things. First, Jesus is willing to befriend anyone, no matter their background, sex, or belief. None of that mattered if a person was willing to believe his message. Second, Jesus is announcing that Jerusalem, or any other place for that matter, is no longer to be considered the only place where God dwells or where he can be worshiped. Jesus is giving a new water of salvation to any who would accept it. And accept it the woman did. In fact she was so shaken by the encounter with him, that she put aside her shame, and had the courage to announce this good news to all who were willing to hear. She even openly spoke of her wayward life to get people to believe. She is considered by some, such as St. Augustine, and St. Teresa of Avila as the first apostle to the gentiles. She had the faith, humility, and courage to open herself to ridicule and skepticism to proclaim Jesus as the messiah.

This whole encounter is an example of what St. Paul is talking about in the second reading from Romans. He writes: “only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find the courage to die.” Paul also states: “while we were still helpless, [Christ] died ...for the ungodly.” Jesus died for the Samaritan woman; he also did for me and for you. Are we willing to be like the Samaritan woman and accept the living water, change our lives, and live for Christ? Are we willing to do this for others, even the ungodly, that they might live in Christ?

Fr. John Tran