John 4 1-41
Jesus said, "Those who drink this water will get thirsty again, but those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again. John 4:13-14.,
OPENING PRAYER:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
May your unfailing compassion, O Lord, cleanse and protect us, and since without you we cannot stand secure, may we always receive and be guided by your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Opening Song: As the Deer....
We, as the Faith Community with the adult baptized candidates preparing for the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil , can experience significant conversion: healing and strengthening of our faith as we ponder the Gospel Scriptures presented during the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays in Lent as the Scrutinies (Year A) for the Elect who will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Week 3 of Lent: The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42)
Week 4 of Lent: The Man Blind from Birth (John 9:1-41)
Week 5 of Lent: The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45)
The FIRST SCRUTINY: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: John 4:1-42
Watch this video to review the story
Read the full story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: John 4:1-42 in The Catholic Children's Bible : pages 1657-1660.
Read all parts of the featured story: Jesus is the Source of Eternal Life in The Catholic Children's Bible: pages 1662-1663: Scripture, Understand it, Live it, Tell it.
Using the pictures, re-tell this story in your own words and how it is helping you to grow closer to Jesus every day.
EXAMPLE
Jesus is resting by a well and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water.
The woman at first doesn't trust Jesus and asks why he would be asking her for a drink: he doesn't have a cup or anything to drink from and Jewish men like Jesus don't talk to women, especially Samaritan woman.
Jesus tells her that if he knew who he was, she would be asking him for a drink. He tells her that the water he will give her will become in her a spring which will give her life-giving water and eternal life with God.
Here is an excellent reflection on the Scrutinies and especially the Samaritan Woman. Reflect on how God is healing and strengthening you to be a mighty disciple for Jesus.
What new insights have we gathered from our Lenten journey so far?
What resistance have we encountered?
How has God led us to a deeper faith in Jesus?
Download and take time this week to practice Lectio Divina with this Gospel Reading
Reflect on one or more of these questions:
How does this passage connect with the experience of your daily life?
Give me a drink.
In what ways can I help to share God's love with those who thirst for his presence?
Those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.
How does actively participating in weekly worship with others draw me closer to
God?
We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we
know that he is truly the savior of the world.
How has your faith in God been strengthened by this study?
Example: This story showed me that God is reaching out to all of us all the time. Even though the Samaritan woman needed a lot of healing, she yearned for and courageously asked for the living water that Jesus promised. She already believed that the Messiah was coming as savior. This encouraged me and reminded me that God desires that we will all be healed and restored to new life with him in God's Kingdom forever.
SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS
Almighty God,
We pray for those Elect as they complete their long preparation to receive Christ in his Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
We also ask for your blessing for our Candidates preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter feast
We ask for both our Faith Community and for our Candidates, that as we ponder your WORD in our hearts and are guided by your Spirit toward deeper understanding, we may grow closer in unity with Christ who came to save us all.
We pray that through your grace we may humbly confess ourselves to be sinners who sincerely reject everything in our lives that may not honor what Christ did for us, once and for all.
We pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit searching our hearts, we may overcome our weaknesses and wisely discern and obey God's will for our lives
We pray that our families also may put their hope in Christ and find peace and holiness in him.
We pray that as we continue to prepare for the Easter feast, we may seek a change of heart, give ourselves to prayer, and persevere in our good works.
We pray that throughout the whole world, whatever is weak may be strengthened, whatever is broken restored, whatever is lost found, and what is found redeemed. AMEN
PRAYER FOR PROTECTION
All-merciful Father,
through your Son you revealed your mercy to the woman of Samaria; and moved by the same care you have offered salvation to all sinners.
Look favorably on us who are your adopted children through the power of your sacraments.
Continue to free us from the savory of sin, and give us grace to take on the gentle yoke of Jesus.
Protect us from every danger that we may serve you faithfully in peace, joy and gratitude. AMEN
Lord Jesus,
In your merciful wisdom, you touched the heart of the Samaritan woman and taught her to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.
Now by your power, continue to free us from the power of Satan as we willingly seek to be filled by your Spirit of living water. Teach us to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth as you live and reign for ever and ever. AMEN
