Fourth Sunday of Lent

In so many countries of our world, water is a scarce commodity. Ethiopia is certainly one of these. As a consequence, serious efforts have to be made to ensure conservation, distribution and proper use of water. Projects are constantly undertaken by aid agencies, such as SCIAF, to build dams for land irrigation. More and more effort is being expended to bring clean and purified water to as many people as possible.

Water is surely one of God’s greatest offerings to God’s people. It is something holy; a blessing, a gift freely given, one that is received with deep gratitude. Yet too much water can also be dangerous, and we are painfully aware of the terrible destruction caused by floods.

In the story of Jesus meeting the woman of Samaria, we identify Christ himself as the water of life. He is the source of all blessing. He freely gives himself to us in relationship; he it is who shows us what it really means to have life in its fullness; he offers nourishment and satisfaction.

As water gives and supports life, so Jesus himself sustains and nourishes us in the very depth of our being. Our relationship with Jesus is as crucial for our very spiritual survival as water is for our continued existence.

Let us pray

Father, we thank you for the gift of water. May we always treat it with reverence and awe. May we also recognise Jesus as the water of life, and the source of all that we are, and so allow his presence to direct us in all that we say and do.

Amen.