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
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.
Praying Together 26th April 2026
Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong.
Praying Together April 19th 2026
Judgement is not restricted to either believers or non-believers – but All people
Praying Together 12th April 2026
Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.
Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.
Praying Together Easter Sunday 2026
A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
Praying Together – A Thought for Good Friday 2026
Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.