This much loved Gospel is a pivotal reminder as we make our Lenten journey that Jesus is the source of our life. It is the first of three Gospels from John we listen to in Lent that draw on central symbols in baptism – in this instance the symbol of water.

In the encounter between Jesus and the woman we see God’s mercy in action. The woman is an outsider, left to draw water at the hottest part of the day, alone. Jesus actively reaches out to her, ignoring the social norms of the time that would keep her in isolation. And in doing so the   woman comes to know Jesus as the source of our life, as the living water that dwells within us, as our saviour. Not only that, she becomes a messenger of that Good News. In Jesus, all belong and all our    renewed.

As we welcome this reading into our hearts this Lent, may we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ who reached out to the marginalised and to those who felt on the    outside, who shattered the narrow definitions of ‘who belongs’. May we recognise, that, in Christ, we belong. May we welcome Jesus into the very circumstances of our life to heal us and bless us. May we recognise Jesus as our saviour who brings us to eternal life. And may we bring this good news to others without   borders – recognising also when others are bringing it to us  (Julie Kavanagh, Faith Development office, Carlow)