Author: SHSS

3rd Sunday of Lent: Thirsting for the Living Water

3rd Sunday of Lent: The Woman at the Well

Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. The Gospel for the next three Sundays introduces us to the woman at the well, the man born blind, and Lazarus. These three Gospels make up the ancient baptismal catechism.

Each story invites us to answer the question posed by Jesus to his followers: “Who do you say I am?” Each of us must answer this personal question for ourselves.

The Woman’s Journey of Faith

In Sunday’s Gospel, we meet the woman at the well. I invite you to notice two points in the story: first, the progression of growth in faith and second, the sharing or proclamation of faith.

As we begin the story, Jesus meets this unnamed woman. She seems aloof, and when Jesus seeks to engage her in conversation, she seems distant, defensive, and even rude. Notice the conversation has two levels.

She is speaking about the water, which is a symbol for God. The woman is speaking about physical thirst. Jesus is speaking about the soul’s thirst for God. The soul thirsts for things which only God can satisfy.

Notice also the symbol for thirst. Thirst refers to the Israelites’ thirst in the desert. Notice also that Jesus thirsted on the Cross. Thirst is a major symbol in this story.

As Jesus continues to press the conversation, the woman comes to recognize Jesus as a Jewish man. When Jesus reveals knowledge he has about her, she softens her approach and calls him a holy man or a prophet.

Finally, at the end of the story, the woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. Her faith grew through her personal encounter with Jesus. Realizing who Jesus is, she is filled with joy and proclaims Jesus to her neighbors.

Do we realize for what and whom we thirst? Do we realize who Jesus is? If so, what difference does it make in our everyday lives?

Who Is This Woman?

Who is this mysterious unnamed woman we meet in the Gospel today? There are many answers to this question.

She is a symbol for all who are searching for change, who long for something greater, or who are on the verge of despair. She is the symbol for all those who may feel outside the religious community into which she was born due to the circumstances of life.

She is the sign of a used and abused woman who cannot face her neighbors out of embarrassment. She may be a sign of those who have made mistakes in life. She may be a person who has regrets over unwise relationships she has had.

She is the symbol of those who may be searching for acceptance and peace in her life. She is the sign of those whose spirituality is dry. She is the sign of all those who feel that God would never even look upon her.

She is the sign of so many of us who perhaps are angry with life in general and have settled for what is less than what could have been. 

She may be a person of little faith and trust in the religious institutions of her time. There are many of us who may feel the same way.

She may be a person who is truly disgusted with hypocritical religious leaders who have no understanding of the complexities of life and who lack kindness.

She meets Jesus and her life begins to change. Faith is a relationship with God in Christ Jesus.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
March 8, 2026

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Glory Before the Cross

Sunday’s Liturgy celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This feast is celebrated every year on August 6 and comes advantageously this year at the beginning of our meditation on John 6, known as the “Bread of Life Discourses.” The word “transfiguration” means to change, to go beyond limits. In the Transfiguration, the curtain between the visible and the invisible seems lifted. Jesus, the Son of Man, is seen as Jesus the beloved Son of God.

The Mystery Revealed

What was hidden from the apostles is now made manifest. The mystery is revealed. Christ’s human nature is seen in its perfection as revealing his divinity. Transfiguration is an epiphany (manifestation) in that God is being shown. The Transfiguration of Jesus has been understood by many to be a catechetical event. (Catechetical means a way to explain faith.) There are many understandings of this event. The Transfiguration attests to the belief that the Law of Moses and the Prophets all point to Christ as the fullness of God’s self-revelation. The Paschal overtones of the event are self-evident.

Invitation to Divine Presence

The Transfiguration remains a mystery. The text does not really explain the event. We can contemplate this event. We can allow our spirits to enjoy the Divine Presence in the Eucharist. Visiting the Blessed Sacrament chapel can be a way to simply be in the presence of Christ. In this quiet time we can invite the Lord more deeply into our lives.

The Gospel event of the Transfiguration was to strengthen the faith of the disciples so that they could bear the horror of the Cross. The mystery of the Transfiguration can be for you an assurance that the suffering you are now enduring will be changed into joy.

Grace That Transforms

The Transfiguration can be a meditation on grace. Grace is the life of God. Grace has the power to change us from the inside out. The Eucharist, the Sacrament of encounter with the Lord, has the power to convert our hearts. The Eucharist, as the sacrament of Transfiguration, can change us so we can be instruments of positive change in our respective worlds.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
March 01, 2026

Examination of Conscience: A Guide to Loving God and Neighbor

As we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance/Confession), this Examination of Conscience invites us to reflect prayerfully on Christ’s greatest commandments: loving God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves. Take quiet time before Our Lord—perhaps in adoration or prayer—to examine your conscience honestly, preparing to receive His abundant mercy through absolution.


WHERE IS GOD IN MY LIFE?
The Lord says, “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart.”
Reflection: Is finding and doing God’s will primary in my life?

  • Have I kept His commandments?
  • Have I patiently accepted the burdens in my life as coming to me from His loving Providence?
  • Have I prayed to God in times of need with real trust in His love and His power?
  • Are there false gods that really have the worship of my heart – money, work, pleasure?


WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF MY HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS?
The Lord says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Reflection: Am I loving others with Christ’s sacrificial love, or using them for my own gain?

  • Do I see myself as one called to the service of others, or do I use people for my own purposes? Have I imposed my will on others without regard for their freedom or rights?
  • In my family, do I really contribute to the happiness of the family by patience, genuine respect, and service of their needs? Have I been a good example, or have I given scandal? Have I been faithful to my spouse in my heart as well as in relations with others?
  • Have I helped the unfortunates who enter my life by giving of my resources? By giving of myself, my time, and talent?
  • Have I done my duty as a citizen? Have I concerned myself with fostering justice and harmony in my community, or have I done the barest minimum, mainly taking care of myself?
  • Is there any particular relationship where I need healing?
  • Have I respected the sexuality of myself and others? Have I engaged in watching pornography and other behaviors leading me into sin? If you are married, are you married in the Catholic Church? If not, speak with the priest in Confession. If you are not yet married but cohabitating, speak to the priest in Confession. If you are involved in a same-sex relationship, speak with the priest in Confession.


THE GIFTEDNESS OF MY OWN BEING
The Lord says, “Love one another as you love yourself.”
Reflection: Am I stewarding God’s gifts within myself with discipline and gratitude, or squandering them?

  • Do I cherish the integrity of my own being, this gift of God which is myself?
  • Have I been disciplined in the use of things, e.g., food, drink, money? Do I use them responsibly, or am I simply guided by the pleasure principle?
  • Have I been disciplined in my use of time? Do I use time productively, or am I lazy, given too much to leisure?
  • Do I really work at developing the talents that God has given me, knowing I will one day be called to give an account?
  • Have I tried to live each day in the freedom of a person really loved by God? Or am I the slave of negative thinking about myself, about the value of my life?


Having prayerfully walked through this Examination of Conscience, bring these reflections honestly before the Lord in Confession. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Christ Himself awaits through the ministry of His priest to hear your contrition, grant absolution, and restore the grace that makes you a new creation. Go forward in the freedom of His mercy, resolved to love God, neighbor, and self as He desires.

Image Credit: Photo by Rimon Mori on Unsplash

First Sunday of Lent: Overcoming Temptation Through Christ’s Example

First Sunday of Lent: Conquering Temptation

Sunday, February 22nd, is the first Sunday of Lent. The theme of this day is the Temptation of Christ. Remembering that Jesus is fully human and fully divine, we are concerned about his human temptation. Jesus is like us in all things but sin. Jesus suffered temptations, especially as he discerned how he would be the Messiah.

The Nature of All Temptations

Studying the temptations of Jesus gives us insight into the nature and premise of all temptations. Keep in mind that all—if not most—temptations are united by one aspect. The evil one tempts us to disobey or to be unfaithful to God. Remember, Jesus redeems us because of his human obedience and by his absolute faithfulness to God. He undoes our unfaithfulness.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus conquers the evil one, thus telling us that all temptations are conquered if you turn to him in your temptation.

The First Temptation: Bread and Self-Glory

Let us explore the temptations of Christ. The first temptation is for bread. While on the surface it seems that Jesus is tempted to satisfy his own hunger, in reality, this is a temptation to use one’s authority, power, or position for one’s own advantage. Remember, temptations always tempt us away from obedience to God for the glory of self.

The Second Temptation: Spectacle Over Substance

In the second temptation, Jesus is tempted to do something spectacular so that the people will believe how great he is and accept him. Now this presents Jesus with a half-truth. Yes, some would think he was great, but in the long run this is not how God sought to address Messiahship. Those who would believe would be very superficial. Messiahship meant addressing the root of evil, which is sin. Addressing sin and the result of sin is never popular. Jesus would not be successful in addressing sin.

Well, how often have I heard people say the homily should make us feel good, tell us a joke, in short, tell us the nice things we want to hear, not challenging things we need to face.

The Third Temptation: Power and Influence

The last temptation is one to power, wealth, influence, and serving the evil spirit of the world. Jesus is tempted to align himself with the poor and the poor in spirit. Thus, he is not going to have influence as the world sees it. How many of us are tempted to climb the ladder of power and influence even in the Church, and in so doing can lose their souls and their humanity? Thus, they may become those who did all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

Seeing Evil Clearly

The first reading from Genesis tells us how difficult it is to sometimes distinguish good from evil. Evil is like a snake that can hide in the most interesting and surprising places in our lives. Just like we are surprised by the snake, we are when we realize the evil that may surround us, even in people we least expect or who should know better. Being faithful to Christ helps us see clearly.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
February 22, 2026