3A Lent Sunday homily (08 March 2026) The Living Water

 

3A LENT­ SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 4:5-­42, March 8, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

There was a little flower standing alone in the desert.  It dreamt daily of falling raindrops which never came, so it began to wilt.  One day a bird saw this and asked the animals for help.  The big lion was not interested, the fat dog was too lazy, and the noisy blackbird was too busy.  The little bird asked the busy ants for help.  They joined hands and built a long chain bringing drops of water to the roots of the flower causing it to flourish.  All came to realize the importance of water for life.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 4:5­-42

Jesus met a woman at a well and a conversation began.

A) JESUS CAN PROVIDE LIVING WATER 

Jesus told the woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

B) THE WOMAN WANTS LIVING WATER 

The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw

water.”

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) What is living water?  The living water which Jesus gives us is his teaching, his revelation.  Here are some examples. 

i) Jesus tells us that God is our heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, and helps us. 

ii) He tells us to live happily so we must follow the commandments of love God, neighbor, and self. 

iii) At the end of the road of life, God has prepared for us a life of eternal happiness and peace.

B) HOW DO WE OBTAIN THIS REVELATION? There are many ways to obtain the living water.  Here are a few examples. 

i) During each Mass, we hear the word of God and receive the Eucharist which gives us insights and strength. 

ii) When we pray to God, we are obtaining his comfort and understanding. 

iii) When we go to confession, we receive his forgiveness and consolation.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Just as the thirsty flower on the desert revived because it received water, so do we need the living water which Jesus gives us through his instruction to remain his faithful disciples.  This revelation comes through the Mass, our prayers, and in the sacrament of confession.

2A Lent Sunday homily (01 March 2026) The Transfiguration

 

2A, LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 17:1-9, MARCH 01, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1) STORY

While living in Rome, I took a visitor to see the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, a church I had often visited.  As we walked through the church, I pointed out the huge marble statues of the saints which were situated about 100 feet above the floor.  I lamented not being able to read the names at the base of the statues. The visitor told me that one was the statue of St. Francis, another was St. Dominic, etc.  I was amazed and asked how it was possible to see the names which were so far away.  He answered that the glasses he was wearing permitted him to see objects which were near and those which were far.  He could see things I was not able to see because of his eye glasses.

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 17:1-9

A) JESUS HELPS THE APOSTLES

Jesus led the three disciples up a high mountain and he was transfigured before them.  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”  He wanted to teach them that he was not only a man but was also God.

B) THE APOSTLES

The apostles were able to see that Jesus was no ordinary man.  He was also God.  They were able to hear the Father’s words, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS HELPS US TO KNOW HIM BETTER

We can consider Lent as a time when Jesus takes up to a mountain.  Though we cannot see Jesus as the apostles did, he is in our midst as he is present in his Church, in the bible, the Church’s teachings, and in the lives of holy people.

B) WE SEE AND HEAR JESUS

We see Jesus when we see a priest celebrating Mass, when we read the bible, or attend the Stations of the Cross.  We see him when we help a poor, sick, or an unhappy person.  Jesus has said that when you help others, you are helping him.  We hear Jesus when we listen to the Mass homily, the words of the bishop, or the cry for help of someone in need.

 

4) CONCLUSION

The eye glasses helped the visitor to see the names of the saints in St. Peter’s Basilica.  Jesus helped the apostles to see that he was not only man but also God and that he was the Father’s beloved Son.  They should listen to him.  During Lent Jesus also helps us to see that he is both God and man.  We should listen to him.