Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the third Sunday of Lent, March 8th, 2026

Delivered by Stella, Eveline, Maverick and Michaela from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Exodus 17: 3-7; Rs psalm 95: 1-2.6-7.8-9; Romans 5: 1-2.5-8; John 4: 5-42.ENDLESS AND TOTALLOVE The title for ourmeditation today is: Endless and Total Love. There was a young man really madeall efforts that the girl of his choice accepted him, and finally they couldget married. The girl's family was not all sure about the young man's seriouseffort. In their eyes, he was indeed kind and honest. But all this was just apreception and assumption. There was no concrete proof yet of his sincere love.The girl’s family reaction became a challenge for the young man. Then the moment ofwedding eventually came. There were no obstacles in all the processes andevents of the wedding itself. All parties involved felt joyful and satisfied.In one occasion of meeting, the families of both parties had an opportunity togive messages to the newly married couple. Of all the inputs received, theyoung man then expressed his deepest conviction. He said in this way: "Myfaith in the Lord Jesus requires me to love sincerely. For my true love, I willprove it in the life together with her from the moment of our marriage." Love proofs itselfonly through action. The man wanted to prove his love by living with his wifein all situations of their family life. In works, services and sacrifices hewanted to show that his wife felt loved. Jesus is his main example. Like thatman, we the followers of Christ really make Jesus our most special example. TheLord Jesus Christ, as the second reading conveys today, has proven His love forus by the sacrifice of Himself to die on the cross. The love of JesusChrist is revealed to everyone to the point of removing the boundaries of race,ethnicity, culture, and nation. His love does not count who are the believersand who are not. Those who have been baptized long time ago and those who havebeen just baptized yesterday are entitled to receive the love of God. His loveis basically endless. Unbelievers and their cultures like the Samaritans andespecially the woman who met Jesus are the good examples for us today. Love to all or anendless love is indeed a total love. God heals the sick and wounded. Godcompletes and fulfills what is lacking. God returns what is lost and abandoned.God embraces those who are not yet included and those who are scattered. God isthe solution to all forms of life's problems, even though it is very unlikelyto be solved according to human calculations and abilities. God fills the waterof life into the empty and discouraged soul of the Samaritan woman and thesouls of all other mankind. We are so special to receive the Lord's total love. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, fill us with Your love and blessing so that we can prepareourselves with all our hearts for this year's Easter celebration. Glory to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...