Third Sunday in Lent

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

No matter how many times we see the faith alive in someone else. No matter how often we hear someone proclaim the Good News through word or work. No matter how much we are exposed to the conviction of other Christians. In the end, we have to choose to believe in Christ for ourselves. We have to accept the truth he has given us through the scriptures and the traditions of the Church he founded. We have to trust that the Holy Spirit has kept his Gospel message alive in the members of His Spiritual Body, the Church. This personal choice leads us to the community of saints. The two are inseparable. And once we come into the community of believers, then just like the Samaritan woman, we are asked to spread the Good News to others and help them come to their own choice to join the Body of Christ and recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior, too.

Who were the people in our lives who helped introduce us to the Good News? Do we pray for them and thank them for giving us the opportunity to discover our faith? How do we proclaim the Gospels to others in our lives?

O Lord, help us to lead others to faith in you.

Amen.