Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
What Are the Themes for the Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A?
The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A help us think about our true desires The first reading tells of how God satisfied the thirst of the Chosen People in the desert. The psalm reminds us to let God open up our hearts and flow through them The second reading tells us again that God pours himself into our hearts.
The gospel is the story of the woman at the well, whom Jesus brings to new life through his mercy and compassion. It is worth noting Jesus chose to interact with a Samaritan (an outsider) and a woman. So this is also a good time to discuss how we treat outsiders. And it could also lead to a discussion of the role of women in the Catholic Church.
- Change of heart: The Gospel reading from John for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus, as the Samaritan woman's encounter leads to a change of heart and faith.
- Baptism: The Gospel reading from John can be seen as an reference to baptism, as the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus and discussion about water leads to a transformation and new life in Christ. The second reading from Romans emphasizes the significance of baptism in relation to faith in Jesus Christ and access to grace.
- Breaking down barriers between different cultures or groups: The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A also highlights the theme of breaking down barriers between different cultures or groups. Jesus engages the Samaritan woman in conversation, breaking down cultural barriers and demonstrating God's love and inclusivity. This theme emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing people from different cultures or backgrounds, and the role of Christian faith in promoting unity and reconciliation.
- Outreach and evangelization: The Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A highlights the importance of outreach and evangelism. The Samaritan woman becomes a believer and shares the news of Jesus with her community, leading many to believe in him as well. This theme emphasizes the call to share the good news of Jesus with others and to participate in God's mission in the world.
- Leadership roles for women in the Church: The Samaritan woman is a role model for women in the church, as she shows leadership by spreading the Good News to her community.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A.
Resources for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Reflection for the Story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well
All Together Now – A Lesson Plan on Racism
Reflection for the Story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well
The gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A tells of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. There are several different aspects of the story of the woman at the well which are interesting to reflect upon. Here are some questions for different ways to look at this story. These can be used to help facilitate group discussion or for starters for journaling.
Melt My Ice Heart Game
Melt My Ice Heart game could go with a meeting focused on stubbornness or belief or change of heart. It fits in well with the first reading and the psalm for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A. Each team must try to melt a giant ice cube.
All Together Now – A Lesson Plan on Racism
Racism can be a difficult topic to discuss with teens. It is popular to think that we are "color blind". But the fact is that the playing field is not level and that minorities do not have the same advantages as the majority. This lesson plan on racism introduces the topic of institutional racism. This can also fit in with the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A.
Why Do We Consume But Are Not Satisfied?
We live in a world where we are constantly consuming. The teachings of the Catholic Church can explain our obsession with consumerism. This goes well with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
Baptism Word Search Puzzle
This word search puzzle includes words typically associated with baptism. It is suitable for use with your Children's Liturgy of the Word, Vacation Bible School (VBS), or Youth Ministry.
Lenten Ideas for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Make Blessing Bags for the Homeless
Almsgiving is one of the traditional Lenten practices. One way to give to the less fortunate is to make blessing bags for the homeless. These care packages can be given to a local homeless shelter or outreach program to be distributed to their clients. You can also keep blessing bags in your car to distribute to any homeless members of the community you encounter in your daily life.
Go to a Weekday Mass
One of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics is prayer. During this holy season we are called to grow closer to our Lord by increasing and focusing our prayer life. What better way to do this than by attending a weekday Mass or a Saturday morning Mass? Consider doing this for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A.
Give Up Candy and Soda for a Week
The three traditional Catholic practices during Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Long term fasting during Lent can be difficult for very young children. So instead of giving up something for all of Lent they can give up something different each week
See More Lenten Ideas
See specific ideas for practicing prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during the Lenten season.
Homilies and Reflections for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
The Thirsty Soul
A video homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A from Bishop Robert Barron of Word on Fire. "Friends, on this Third Sunday of Lent, we are again getting back to spiritual basics, and the first reading from Exodus and the Gospel from John both focus on the symbol of water. Water in the Bible can be a negative symbol of destruction, but it can also be a positive symbol of life—not just physical life but the divine life of grace. Water for thirsty bodies symbolizes the water of grace for thirsty souls."
A Difficult Journey
A reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A from Jeff Cavins. Sometimes we wander and complain during our spiritual journey, especially during Lent. The fact that we desire more and grumble can point to our deeper longing for Jesus.
A Master Class in Evangelization
Another homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. "This Sunday we have the great privilege of hearing the story of the woman at the well, the definitive text on Christian evangelization. Take the time this week for a prayerful reading of this story and notice that as this woman seeks, she’s already been found! If only we would surrender to our God who is already always pursuing us! Then, we might realize how the Everlasting Lord is the only one who can quench the otherwise unquenchable thirst of our hearts. Make the effort this Lent to clear a path and set down your old buckets so that the water of Christ’s divine life can flow through you."
Striking the Rock
A reflection for the 3rd Sunday in Lent Year A from Scott Hahn. "The Israelites’ hearts were hardened by their hardships in the desert. Though they have seen His mighty deeds, in their thirst they grumble and put God to the test in today’s First Reading—a crisis point recalled also in today’s Psalm." Continue reading.
More Thoughts for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Breaking Down Barriers
The Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A provides a powerful reflection on the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Through his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus demonstrates his love and inclusivity across cultural and ethnic lines, breaking down the barriers that often divide people. The woman's encounter with Jesus leads to a profound change of heart and faith, and she becomes a messenger of the good news to her community, leading many to believe in Jesus.
As Catholics, we are called to follow Jesus and to share the good news of his love and salvation with others. We are called to break down the barriers that divide us, to show love and inclusivity towards those who are different from us, and to be messengers of hope and transformation in a broken and divided world.
Open to Transformation
Like the Samaritan woman, we are called to encounter Jesus in our own lives, to open our hearts to his love and transformation, and to share that love and transformation with others. This encounter with Jesus can take many forms, such as through prayer, the sacraments, reading scripture, or acts of service and charity. However we encounter Jesus, we are called to let that encounter transform us, to let it change our hearts and our lives, and to share that transformation with others.
As we reflect on this Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A, we are reminded of the power and beauty of encountering Jesus, and of the call to be messengers of his love and salvation to a hurting world. May we be open to encountering Jesus in our own lives, and may we be empowered by his love to share that love with others.
A Woman Spreads the Good News
The encounter between a woman at a well and Jesus in the gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A leads her to spread the Good News to those around her. Despite limited information about the woman, Jesus notes that she has been married five times. We really don't know much about the woman. Jesus says she has had five husbands. Is she divorced? Widowed? Adding to the cultural divide, the woman is a Samaritan with differing religious beliefs, making it shocking for a Jewish man to converse with her.
Jesus' knowledge of the woman's personal life validates his prophetic status, ultimately leading her to believe he is the Messiah. The woman then shares her testimony with those in her community, leading them to believe in Jesus as well.
This woman serves as an excellent example of the important role women play in the Church, including evangelizing and preaching the Good News to their loved ones.
Reflection Questions for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
- Who are the women I know who are leaders in my parish community? Take time to reflect on the women in your parish community who are leaders and who actively evangelize and share the Good News of Jesus. How have they inspired you in your own faith journey? How can you support and encourage them in their ministry?
- How can we encourage more women to boldly proclaim the gospel? Consider the barriers that may exist for women in terms of sharing the Gospel and serving in leadership roles within the Church. How can we work to break down those barriers and encourage more women to boldly proclaim the Gospel? What steps can we take to support and empower women in their evangelism and leadership roles?
- Is there somebody in my life whom I need to boldly share my personal testimony with? Reflect on the story of the Samaritan woman and her willingness to share her personal testimony with her community. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear your story of encountering Jesus and the ways in which he has transformed your life? How can you share your testimony in a way that is loving, compassionate, and inspiring?
- How can we foster a culture of inclusivity and love in our communities? The story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus' willingness to engage with her across cultural and religious divides highlights the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity and love in our communities. What steps can we take to break down barriers of race, religion, and gender in our communities? How can we embrace and celebrate the diversity of God's people?
- How can we follow Jesus' example of love and inclusivity towards all people? Jesus' example of love and inclusivity towards the Samaritan woman challenges us to follow his example in our own lives. How can we see beyond differences and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? What steps can we take to promote unity, reconciliation, and love in our communities?
Social Media Graphic for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
From the gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A?
First Reading - Exodus 17:3-7: Water from the Rock
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 95: Sing for Joy to the Lord
Second Reading - Romans 5:1-2, 5-8: Rejoicing in the Hope of Christ's Love
Gospel - John 4:5-42: A Samaritan Woman's Encounter with Jesus
What Are the themes for the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A?
Change of heart
Baptism
Breaking down barriers between different cultures or groups
Outreach and evangelization
Leadership roles for women in the Church
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