Collects for Lent 3
Merciful Lord, Grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5: 1-11
John 4: 5-30, 39-42
Jesus asks for a drink of water. From a Samaritan. And a Samaritan woman at that. He would become ritually unclean. Even worse, she is living out of wedlock – she has to draw water in the hottest part of the day, because she would be shunned by the ‘ upright’ women getting their water in the cool of the early morning. None of this causes Jesus to reject her. She knows her history and her religious traditions, and He is prepared to engage her in conversation. She doesn’t appear to be fazed by Jesus, even though she recognises Him as a prophet; then when He declares Himself to be the Messiah she has heard about, she is prepared to accept Him for who He claims to be, to the extent she is prepared to testify to her neighbours, resulting in His invitation to stay – sharing the hospitality of Samaritans.
Shock! Horror! What will the disciples think? What if the Jewish leaders hear what Jesus is up to now?
Jesus doesn’t care. When she woke that morning, she had no inkling that her life would change forever. He gives her the gift of life for her future. He doesn’t care about our past, either – He waits to meet us where we are, whoever we are. Women. Sinners. Foreigners. Heretics. Proselytes. He treats everyone equally – condemning the hypocrites irrespective of rank or title, eating with tax collectors, talking to women, healing the ritually unclean.
Jesus’ world is now, and has always been, free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Let our world be the same.
Our annual Vestry meeting will take place at 2:00 on 17th April, St Michael, Waterville.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 22nd February 2026
If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.
Praying Together December 7th 2025
By your grace we have the gift of the Scriptures. With the help your grace, may we listen deeply to what you want to say to each one of us. May we know your gifts of endurance, encouragement and hope, so that not only our lips but also our lives may be a song in praise of your mercy.
Praying Together November 30th November 2025
The significance of the Themes and Candles we light during the Advent Season.
Praying Together 23rd November 2025
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
Praying Together 16th November 2025
In ways, the Christian Journey is like a race – a Marathon, not a sprint. The key is endurance, Jesus says. There will be mountains to climb, tears and heartache in the depths of your soul, and it will sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carry on. But the world will continue, and end only in God’s good time.