The Woman at the Well for CONFIRMANDS
- shbentley639
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Jesus and the Living Water
A Lenten Reflection for Confirmation Candidates and Families
John 4:5–42 – The Samaritan Woman at the Well. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%204%3A5-42&version=NABRE
Watch this video to review the story
GOING DEEPER: Enjoy this Lectio Divina or Divine Reading of John 4:5-42 for conversion of Mind, Heart, and Life! See inspiring Sample Responses at the end of this POST!!!
During Lent, the Church invites you to reflect on the story of
Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This Gospel
story is especially meaningful as you prepare to receive the
Sacrament of Confirmation, because it shows how a person
encounters Jesus, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, and is
sent to share the Good News. As you read this story,
imagine yourself sitting beside the well with Jesus.
1. Jesus Meets You Where You Are
The Samaritan woman came to the well expecting an ordinary
day. Instead, she encountered Jesus. Jesus does the same
with you. He meets you:
- in your questions
- in your struggles
- in your hopes
You do not have to be perfect to approach Christ. He meets
you exactly where you are and invites you into a deeper
relationship with Him.
Family Conversation: Where do you see Jesus present in your daily life right now?
2. Your Heart Is Thirsty for Something More: John 4:13-14
Jesus tells the woman: “Everyone who drinks this water will
be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I give will
never thirst.” (John 4:13–14). All people experience a deeper
thirst in their hearts — a longing for love, truth, purpose, and
meaning. Sports, achievements, social media, success, or
popularity cannot satisfy this deepest thirst. Only Jesus
can.The “living water” Jesus promises is the life of the Holy
Spirit, which you will receive more fully in Confirmation.
Family Conversation: What things do people sometimes chase that cannot truly satisfy the heart?
3. Jesus Invites You to Be Honest With Him
During the conversation, Jesus gently reveals the woman’s
past. He does not condemn her. Instead, He invites her into
truth and healing. Lent is a time when Jesus invites you to
open your heart honestly:- What needs healing in your life?
- What habits or sins do you want Christ to help you overcome?
- What areas of your life need God’s grace?
Before receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit at
Confirmation, God invites you to allow Him to transform your
heart.
Family Conversation: How does God help us grow when we are honest with Him?
4. Confirmation Strengthens You to Worship God: John 4:23
Jesus teaches: “The true worshipers will worship the Father
in Spirit and truth.” (John 4:23). Through Confirmation, the
Holy Spirit strengthens you to:
- worship God more deeply
- participate fully in the Mass
- live your faith with sincerity and courage
The Spirit helps you move from simply knowing about
God to truly living in relationship with Him.
Family Conversation: What helps you feel closest to God
during prayer or Mass?
5. When You Encounter Jesus, You Share Him with Others! : John 4:29
After meeting Jesus, the woman runs back to her town and
tells others: “Come see a man who told me everything I have
ever done.” (John 4:29). Her encounter with Christ turns her
into a witness. Confirmation prepares you for the same
mission. The Holy Spirit strengthens you to:
- live your faith openly
- speak about Jesus with courage
- bring Christ’s love to others
You are not just receiving a Sacrament. You are being
sent on a Mission.
Family Conversation: Who helped you come to know Jesus in your life?
A Simple Lenten Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You know the deepest thirst of my heart.
Fill me with the living water of your Holy Spirit.
Help me turn away from sin, grow in faith, and share your
love with others.
Prepare my heart to receive the grace of Confirmation so that
I may follow you with courage and joy. Amen.
One Sentence to Remember:
Confirmation prepares you to receive the LIVING WATER of the Holy Spirit so that your life can be transformed by Jesus and you can share His love with the world.
APPLICATION TO LENTEN PRACTICES:
As you prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, Jesus
invites you to open your heart to the Holy Spirit through three
traditional Lenten practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
1. Prayer — Coming to the Well to Speak with Jesus
The Samaritan woman encountered Jesus in a personal conversation.
Prayer is like coming to the well to meet Jesus and allow Him to speak to your heart.
Ways to grow in prayer this Lent:
Spend a few quiet minutes each day talking with Jesus.
Read a short passage of Scripture.
Pay closer attention during Mass.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your life.
Family Conversation: When and where could you spend a few quiet minutes each day with Jesus? |
2. Fasting — Letting Go of Distractions to Focus on Jesus
At first the woman was focused only on ordinary water, but Jesus helped her discover something much deeper. Fasting during Lent helps us let go of distractions so our hearts can focus more clearly on God.
Consider fasting from distractions such as:
Too much screen time.
Social media or gaming that takes time away from prayer.
Complaining or negative speech.
Anything that keeps you from growing closer to Jesus.
Family Conversation: What distraction could you fast from so that you can focus more on Jesus? |
3. Almsgiving — Sharing God's Love with Others
After encountering Jesus, the Samaritan woman went and shared the Good News with others. When we experience Christ's love, we are called to share that love.
Ways to share God's love this Lent:
Help someone who is lonely or struggling.
Show patience and kindness at home.
Serve others in your parish or community.
Give generously to help those in need.
Family Conversation: Who might God be inviting you to help this Lent? |
A Simple Lenten Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know the thirst of my heart. Fill me with the living water of your Holy Spirit. Help me grow closer to you through prayer, remove distractions through fasting, and share your love through acts of generosity. Prepare my heart to receive the grace of Confirmation so that I may follow you with courage and joy. Amen.
Final Reflection
As you prepare for the victory of the Resurrection at Easter: What is ONE concrete thing YOU will do during the coming weeks of Lent through • prayer, • fasting from distractions, and • sharing God's love with others so that your heart is ready to receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation? WRITE out what THE HOLY SPIRIT is guiding you to do! |
Going Deeper Resources for LECTIO DIVINA: Third Week of LENT
READING (Lectio)
PRAY for the Holy Spirit to give you the grace (divine help) to LISTEN and HEAR God's Voice.
Read John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42 two or three times
MEDITATION (Meditation)
What word or words in this passage stood out to you?
EXAMPLES: 1. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. (John 4:6)
2. If you knew the gift of God and who is saying "give me a drink..."
(John 4:10)
3. Many more began to believe in him because of his word. (John 4:41)
PRAYER (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.
1. Dear Jesus, it's good to remember that you grew tired too in your human nature, maybe even worn out from reaching out to us as you did with the Samaritan Woman!
2. Holy Father, I am finally understanding John 3:16. You gave your only son as a GIFT to us so we could have eternal life with you. Thank you!
3. Beloved Jesus, by reading your word of TRUTH and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am growing deeply in my love for you in my heart and soul. I want others to know and love you too!!!
CONTEMPLATION (Contemplatio)
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
