February 24, Third Sunday of Lent

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.--Psalm 95:8

Mass readings: Exodus 17:3-7 / Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 / John 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19-26, 39, 40-42

We're All Outcasts

Today's Gospel tells about Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. You probably know that Samaritans were outcasts as far as Jews were concerned and even talking with one was considered an outrageous act. And even beyond that, this was a Jewish man conversing with a Samaritan woman. Scripture scholars note that she was a woman who, because of her circumstances, would come at midday to draw water rather than early in the morning with the other women who lived in that area.

But, thanks be to God, Jesus seeks the outcasts. He seeks us. We're all outsiders, alone in some way, and the Church draws us all to her. We're welcomed, me with my mental handicap; others with physical, emotional, and spiritual weaknesses.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that what sometimes holds us back from society doesn't stop You from coming to us.