Reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent, 2026

Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42

Christ died at the appointed time for the ungodly.

Many of you are probably familiar with The Fellowship of the Ring, a novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. In it the reluctant hero Frodo lamented the heavy responsibility which had fallen to him in his time. He felt duty-bound to make a dangerous journey to rescue many of his imperiled fellows. We, too, sometimes regret the burden of duties that fall upon us in our time, even though we know they will help others. The enlightened old character Gandalf shared Frodo’s sorrowful feelings but his wise advice followed: “All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us”.

The time that is gifted to us is now. Near the middle of this Lenten season of renewal, the continual effort that is required each day, can stir up an echo of Frodo’s response. We anticipate ruefully the hard work needed to make good decisions about our time during the rest of Lent, on our road to union with Jesus at Easter.

We are so blessed that our loving Lord has not left us alone to solve our problems! Today’s readings describe how God resolved in a timely manner the physical and spiritual predicaments of his beloved people when they needed His help. His prompt help is still available, through His Holy Spirit and His Church, and it is a model for us to quickly assist others as He inspired His people to do.

In the desert journey on the Exodus from Egypt, described in the first reading, God gave Moses his part to do – to bring water out of a rock, as a solution to both the people’s lack of belief in God’s power and love, and to their ardent complaints of thirst. Moses listened to God at the time and obeyed. So the water flowed! Moses’ decision at this time was the right one.

In today’s Gospel, a Samaritan woman who had been living for some time apart from the Commandments, after speaking with Jesus, became convinced of His holiness and was eager to evangelize her community. Our Lord drew her while she was drawing water. She then drew her townspeople to Jesus. It was her time to return to the Lord and to bring her neighbors with her, as Saint John described in these touching scenes.

The readings today help us consider how people in troubled situations decided to use their unique time in life to remedy difficulties and benefit others.

You and I, too, by God’s plan and loving Divine Providence, are in exactly the place and time to

do the good that He has put us on this earth to do. One question remains: What do I do with the time that is given to me? The Holy Spirit, His Holy Church, and our attentive listening in prayer will help us to decide rightly, how to pray, sacrifice, and give alms this Lent. Let us remain alert and ready to hear His voice!

Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).