"Is the Lord in our midst or not?"

This week's readings begin with the grumblings of the Israelite people as they are wandering in the desert- thirsty, hungry, tired, and afraid. They begin to question Moses and their exodus journey towards the Promised Land. In this moment of doubt, they have forgotten the horrors of slavery and the hundreds of years they spent under Egyptian persecution. They are beginning to lose sight of God's promises and love for them.

Moses, unsure of what to do, seeks the Lord's help. God instructs Moses to strike the rock and that water will flow from it. This moment reminds the Israelites of the power of God and that YES God is still there even during the times of suffering. God provides for us even at times when we are not grateful and doubt His plan.

Since water is a symbol of cleansing and Baptism, this reading reminds us to repent and remember our Baptismal vows. Especially during Lent, we should be confronting our own doubts and fears while also strengthening our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Reflection: What situations in your life are causing you to have doubt and embrace fear? What are some ways that you can confront and calm those doubts and fears? How can we be grateful even during difficult times?

"If today you hear his voice,

harden not your hearts."

How appropriate that this week's Responsorial Psalm echoes the words of Psalm 95! We are reminded through this Psalm to rejoice in the goodness of God!

Reflection: How have you seen God working in your life this week? What little miracles and joys would you like to give thanks to God for?

"And hope does not disappoint..."

If anyone understood what it felt like to be persecuted for their faith...Saint Paul knew the feeling all too well! Saint Paul was first known as "Saul of Tarsus". After Jesus' death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Paul was among those who were in cahoots with the Roman officials to persecute anyone who professed a belief in Jesus. Paul would hunt down Christians, beating and imprisoning them! Let's be real...he was not a good dude! But, God loves and wants a relationship with EVERYONE. When Jesus appeared to Paul on the Road to Damascus (on his way to persecute more Christians), Paul's life was forever changed! He had a RADICAL CONVERSION and turned his whole life over to Jesus. He committed to travelling thousands of miles on his missionary journeys to share the truth and love of Jesus. At first, people didn't believe he had truly changed and turned his life over to Jesus...Some thought it was a trick! He was chased out of towns and persecuted and eventually beheaded in Rome for spreading the Gospel. However, through it all, Paul never gave up hope that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

In this reading, Paul reminds us of the peace and hope that we find in Jesus. He reminds us that God loved us so much that he died for us. He even points out the fact that most people would only be willing to die for a good or just person. Yet, God died for us...sinners.

Reflection: How has your faith in Jesus brought you hope? Share with your family and friends times when you saw God's love and mercy in your life.

"And hope does not disappoint..."

In this Gospel story, Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. Now, most people today would not think anything of this. Jesus is thirsty. Why does it matter who he asks for water?

A person who was a Samaritan was a descendant of one of the 12 Israelite tribes. However, after the Babylonian Exile, the Jewish people became divided. Some, like the Samaritans, ended up incorporating pagan beliefs and traditions into their lives. Due to this, the traditional Jewish people, considered them to be outcasts. The Samaritans were not pure in their practice of the Jewish faith. The fact that Jesus would interact with a Samaritan or talk about how God's love extends to even these outcasts was shocking to traditional Jewish people at this time. To make this even more "scandalous", this story emphasizes that the Samaritan woman had been married 5 times and was living with someone at the time she met Jesus, something that would have been considered sinful by traditional Jewish standards. Yet, in this story Jesus not only talks to this woman but also evangelizes to her!

Reflection: When was a time that you hesitated or were afraid to share your faith because you were worried what other people would think? How can we become more courageous and bold about sharing our Catholic faith? Discuss with your children how they can share their faith at home, in school, and with people they encounter in their daily lives.