Chi Rho Letters - Third Sunday of Lent
Mar 07, 2026 10:06 pm
March 7, 2026 - Volume II, Issue 2
"God thirsts that we might thirst for Him, because I am created by God, and for God"
St. Augustine of Hippo- Bio
Editor’s Note
Non-Church world events isn't a topic typically covered in this newsletter, but I would be remiss not to call attention to the War that broke out in Iran since our last publication. From the top, let us, in a special way, pray for those affected by this War. In a special way, let us pray for the repose of the souls of CPT Cody A. Khork, SFC Noah L. Tietjens, SFC Nicole M. Amor, SGT Declan J. Coady, MAJ Jeffrey R. O'Brien, CW3 Robert M. Marzan, and all those killed since the beginning of this war.
Eternal rest unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through mercy of God, rest in peace.
Source: NBC News
I’m not sure what their religious affiliation is, but I think it’s important to pray for everyone in this way when they pass. God calls all of us to Him,and can work with whatever we give Him as a starting point. This Sunday’s Gospel about the well and the Samaritan woman teaches us just this.
It’s a simple scene: a weary traveler rests at noon and asks a woman for water, but Sts. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas saw more to it, so let’s dig in!
Right before our reading begins, we are told that Jesus “had to pass through Samaria.” Aquinas point out that geographically this route made sense as it was the easiest way to get from Judea to Galilee. The historical Samarians were a people who lived between truth and error. They saw themselves as followers of God in that they knew of the Abrahamic covenants, but the Jewish texts were distorted over time that they became unrecognizable to the teachings Christ learned growing up.
Christ’s journey through Samaria therefore foreshadows what would happen after the salvation of ancient Israel – salvation would be shared, too, with the Gentiles, as we would later see with Paul (spoilers).
For modern readers, Samaria could represent those moments in our lives when our own faith becomes mixed with distraction, compromise, or confusion (great reminder for Lent, huh?). The good news: Christ still passes through these places. His grace continues to seek the lost or wandering soul.
Now back to the scene. When the Samaritan woman arrives, Augustine observes that the One who asks for water is Himself the giver of living water. Jesus truly thirsts in His humanity (He’s been walking in the heat of the sun all day), yet His deeper thirst is for faith. Augustine highlights that Christ thirsted for her faith just as He would later thirst for souls from the Cross.
The woman becomes a symbol in a couple ways. First, as we discussed earlier, Aquinas sees in her the figure of the Gentile Church, called from outside the covenant to encounter Christ. What I think is interesting is how much of Augustine’s emphasis is on her personal story. She is a woman who has searched for fulfillment and come up empty. Her life reflects the restlessness of the human heart when it seeks satisfaction apart from God.
The five husbands mentioned in the narrative can be understood historically, but Aquinas, riffing off Augustine, says the five husbands could be our five senses. How many times do our own senses lead us to make decisions we wish we didn’t, away from God. We’ve overindulged in food or drink, sometimes because of how good it smelled; viewed stuff we ought not; listened to and relished in juicy gossip; and didn’t offer a hand to someone because it would cause "too much" discomfort. The human person often seeks fulfillment through many attachments that ultimately fail to satisfy. Christ reveals this truth not to shame the woman but to heal her.
I had almost 2,000 words drafted for this editor’s note because of how rich and edifying Aquinas’ reflections on this reading were. To save you some reading, I’ll summarize some of the other points Aquinas made that I thought were too much for this forum:
- The conversation follows a typical Johannine teaching pattern.
Christ begins with an ordinary, earthly image.
The listener misunderstands in material terms.
Christ reveals the deeper spiritual meaning.
The soul is gradually led toward truth.
- “Living water” refers to the grace of the Holy Spirit.
- The woman’s initial desire is imperfect – and Jesus can work with our sincere desire, even if it’s imperfect.
- Her faith develops step by step - just like us
She first sees Jesus as a Jew.
Then she calls Him a prophet.
Finally she begins to recognize the Messiah.
- An outsider receives profound revelation.
- The woman leaves her water jar behind, symbolizing the abandonment of old attachments and her inner transformation
- The passage illustrates the progression of grace. - Christ meets imperfect desire, reveals truth gradually, heals disordered attachments, and leads the soul toward true worship and faith.
All of this is highlighted in our Contemplative Corner this week, which is a publicly available version of Aquinas’ commentary on the Gospel of John. I’ve been reading through it all week and I’m constantly amazed by Aquinas’ exegesis. Certainly, worth a read!
Sunday Readings
Third Sunday of Lent - Link
Reading 1: Exodus 17:3-7
Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
Gospel: John 4:5-42
Collect:
O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,
who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving
have shown us a remedy for sin,
look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,
that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,
may always be lifted up by your mercy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Headlines
A few headlines that caught my eye this week:
Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame football coach and outspoken Catholic, dies at 89 (CNA)
Bishop Shaleta arrested on charges of embezzlement, money laundering (The Pillar)
Pope Leo XIV urges diplomacy amid Iran tensions (National Catholic Register / CNA)
Pope Leo XIV prays for leaders to “abandon projects of death” in peace prayer video (OSV News)
Drone strike on Iraqi Catholic church complex reopens old wounds (OSV News)
Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil suffers drone strikes on Christian apartment complex (CNA)
Vatican secretary of state warns of Iran escalation (CNA)
How the Iranian conflict has upended Catholic pilgrimages in the region (CNA)
What does the Catechism say about the concept of a just war? (Aleteia)
AI weapons should never be used in war, says Vatican (Aleteia)
Synod study group proposes creation of pontifical commission for new technologies (OSV News)
Euthanasia bill is “dead” in England and Wales (Aleteia)
Amid questions, embattled Chaldean bishop expected in Rome (The Pillar)
Diocese of Syracuse announces final court approval of $176 million abuse settlement (CNA)
Court allows subpoena of Archdiocese of Seattle in abuse investigation (OSV News)
Already dropped your Lent resolution? Consider this. (Aleteia)
How young Latino Catholics are renewing the Church this Lent (OSV News)
12 new resources to encounter Christ this Lent (OSV News)
From heiress to saint: The radical life of St. Katharine Drexel (CNA)
Pope Leo XIV urges unconditional love amid hardship (CNA)
Bishop Varden tells Vatican retreat: Not every fall ends in joy (CNA)
What does it mean to be automatically excommunicated? (Aleteia)
Contemplative Corner
St. Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on the Gospel of St. John
St. Thomas’ commentary on the Gospel of St. John is unique among his many writings on Sacred Scripture. It is the work of a master theologian, delivered at the University of Paris, then the intellectual center in Christendom, when Thomas was at the height of his fame and apostolic zeal for souls. Here's a link to Chapter 4's commentary brought to us by St. Isidore's Forum.
Read: Aquinas' Commentary on John 4
Apostolate Spotlight
Catholic Relief Services - Focus on Middle East Conflict - Link
As conflict and displacement continue to affect communities across the region, Catholic Relief Services is working with trusted local partners to provide lifesaving assistance and support families forced from their homes. With your gift, families across the Middle East will continue to receive vital relief and care as they seek refuge and relief. Please give now to support families across the Middle East.
The Liturgical Week Ahead
Coloring indicates Liturgical Color, links provided to USCCB site.
March 9, 2026 | Monday | Monday of the Third Week of Lent (Optional Memorial: Saint Frances of Rome, religious)
2 Kings 5:1-15ab | Luke 4:24-30
March 10, 2026 | Tuesday | Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Daniel 3:25, 34-43 | Matthew 18:21-35
March 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 | Matthew 5:17-19
March 12, 2026 | Thursday | Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Jeremiah 7:23-28 | Luke 11:14-23
March 13, 2026 | Friday | Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Hosea 14:2-10 | Mark 12:28-34
March 14, 2026 | Saturday | Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Hosea 6:1-6 | Luke 18:9-14
Community Prayer Intentions
For Strength and Comfort
- Families of Servicemembers
- Those affected by the Iranian and Ukrainian wars
- Myers Family
- Demers Family
- Pope Leo XIV
Eternal Rest
- Noel Demers
- Bernice Myers
- Emma Niese
- CPT Cody A. Khork
- SFC Noah L. Tietjens
- SFC Nicole M. Amor
- SGT Declan J. Coady
- MAJ Jeffrey R. O'Brien
- CW3 Robert M. Marzan
- Those killed in the wars in Iran and Ukraine
- Pope Benedict XVI
- Pope Francis
Saints in Progress, pray for us!
Thank you!
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Please know of my prayers for you, and please continue to pray for me and my family. I’ll see you next time, but in the meantime, God Bless!
–☧ Rob