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3rd Sunday Lent |
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Contents: Volume 2 3rd Sunday LENT
3/8/2026
1. -- Lanie LeBlanc OP - <lanie@leblanc.one>2. -- 3. --
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****************************************************** Whenever the Gospel story of the Woman at the Well comes around, I always remember the task my husband and I had long ago to retell it from memory to a Baptism Preparation Class we were leading as young parents. My first comment to my husband when seeing the title was something to the effect that I had absolutely nothing in common with a woman long ago who had to go to a well for water. Little did I know how important this story would be in my life as I delved deeper into its spirituality.
The story is very familiar, detailed, and also very long so often homilists will encourage the congregation to “become” one of the characters and notice the strategies and monitor the feelings/changes that emerge. For example, one can “become” the woman, resentful and defensive at first and then notice how and why her strategy and feelings change throughout the conversation with Jesus to become someone who invites others to meet the Messiah. This is a great technique, and one can become the woman, Jesus, or even the disciples, or anon-looker to the whole story.
This time I was listening to Jesus’s techniques and words most carefully. I zeroed in on what Jesus meant by “to worship in Spirit and truth”. I understood that meant with good intentions and honesty, but I was nudged even deeper. The translation from The Message (John 5: 22-23 ) explains in clear words: ”It ’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.”
How often do we “mask” who we are, even to ourselves, even before the Father? That strategy seems to be the opposite of what is desired by the Almighty and what can help each of us become more like our Creator. Each one of us is unconditionally loved by God so it makes sense to acknowledge in that Presence the actual strengths and challenges that are present within us.
To me, probing that concept is my challenge this Lent. Perhaps like the Woman at the Well, I might just be a bit defensive in revealing who I am… but why to the One who made me? Starting there might help me be more open to changing what is underneath any masking and what God sees anyway. I don’t know "the answers", but I do intend to spend more time being still and listening to how the “living water” can better spring forth within who I really am, and, hopefully, encourage others to do the same.
Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
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****************************************************** ****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** ****************************************************** 5. ****************************************************** Volume 2 is for you. These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid week each week. They are written by various guest authors. If you would like to submit a reflection of your own, then click here to send an email request to post to the Webmaster. Deadline is Monday morning of each week for the upcoming Sunday.
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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