On this third Sunday of Lent, the traditional Gospel is the account of the meeting between Our Lord and the Samaritan woman at the well from Chapter 4 of Saint John’s Gospel - and as this is Year A of the three-year cycle of Sunday readings, we hear the traditional text.  Although other readings are provided for Years B and C, the option of choosing this Gospel exists every year, on account of its significance for the RCIA.  

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    It is a truly remarkable account.  In the first instance, it was contrary to social norms at the time for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan at all, and it was certainly contrary to those norms for a man to enter into dialogue with an unknown woman, let alone to ask her for a drink.  Very soon, the conversation turns to spiritual matters as Our Lord speaks to her of the living water of the Gospel, such that whoever drinks it will never be thirsty again.  He reveals to her a knowledge of her personal life that astonishes her and helps her to recognize that he is gifted with supernatural powers.  In response to her question, he declares that he is the Messiah, long awaited by the Jewish people.  This is one of very few moments in the Gospels where Jesus openly states who he is.

 

    There is a proper preface for this third Sunday of Lent, and the rubrics tells us that it should only be used in conjunction with this particular Gospel - not surprisingly, since it refers directly to the content of the episode.  As so often, it expresses the theology of the passage succinctly:  “When he asked the Samaritan woman for water to drink, he had already created the gift of faith within her and so ardently did he thirst for her faith, that he kindled in her the fire of divine love.”  His brief dialogue with this woman provides an object lesson in how to evangelise - beginning with small talk, so as to capture the attention of the listener and then moving swiftly towards deeper matters.  She in turn shows us how to evangelise, because it is her testimony to her friends and neighbours that inspired many of them to come to meet Jesus, whom they recognized as the Saviour of the world.  

 

    The Eastern Christian tradition venerates this woman as a saint, giving her the name “Photini”, although the Gospel text itself makes no reference to her name.  In this way, our Eastern brethren remind us of an important truth - that a sinful past need pose no barrier to sainthood.  Indeed, it is sometimes said that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future!

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    After each Mass this weekend, there will be a collection in support of the work of CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, related to their recent Lent Fast Day.  The parish website contains an article about the work of this charity by Elizabeth Carey, the CAFOD representative in the parish.  I do commend this important collection to your generosity, as almsgiving is one of the ways in which the season of Lent is traditionally marked.  Later in Lent there will be an opportunity to contribute to the Diocesan Lenten Appeal, in support of local initiatives to promote youth work, evangelisation, education and social action as well as marriage and family life. 

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    Worshippers may be interested to know of a recent biography by Roberto de Mattei of Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, which can now be obtained from the repository at the back of the church.  Cardinal Merry del Val was born in this parish in 1865 and baptised in the church building that at that time stood on the corner of Spanish Place and what is now George Street.  The Cardinal went on to become Secretary of State to St Pius X and his tomb is in the Crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  If he himself should be raised to the altars, as many of his admirers are hoping, he would be the first saint to appear in the baptismal registers of our parish!

 

    This may be a good moment to remind readers of a retreat that the Sisters of the Assumption are holding for Young Adults on Saturday 21 March from 10am to 6pm in their house at 20 Kensington Square, London, W8 5HH (closest tube station: High Street Kensington). The programme includes talks, prayer, adoration and confessions, faith sharing, Mass and social time.  Further information can be obtained from Sister Rebecca at rebecca@assumpta-eu.org.

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    The Assumption Sisters are also organising a Divine Mercy Pilgrimage for Young Adults to Vilnius, Lithuania from 6 to 12 June.  Those wishing to take part are asked to register by 30 March.  Further information is available at www.assumpta-eu.org/divine-mercy-pilgrimage-in-vilnius/.

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    Nearer home, there is to be a Lenten concert at Westminster Cathedral on Wednesday 18 March at 6.45pm, including a performance of the Stabat Mater by Sir James MacMillan, who will be in conversation with the Cathedral Precentor, Father Patrick Van der Vorst, at the start of the evening.   As a way of encouraging parishes across the diocese to benefit from this spiritual preparation for Holy Week, the Cathedral offers an opportunity to buy tickets at a discount of 50%. Discounted tickets are available in Sections A, B and N at the following link:https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F00638BCD835BA6?did=50off Password:WCSBDO.

 

Meanwhile, Father Domenico and I wish all our parishioners
a fruitful and blessed season of Lent.

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