“Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.” (Words from our Gradual Hymn today) I wonder how your thirst might be quenched during this season of Lent. I wonder what you might be thirsting for. Last week we heard from our dear friend Art Turnbull – that wonderful question from Nicodemus that leads us to Easter – How can anyone be born after having grown old? Jesus answers, “We enter the kingdom of God by being born of water and Spirit” (Matthew 3: 4-5). Today we move from the opening scene of Lent – Jesus’ temptation in the desert to a well of flowing water. Here we see Nicodemus’ question and Jesus’ answer played out in the dramatic interaction of Jesus and the Samaritan woman – here she, and we, are invited to be born of water and Spirit – invited to Easter birth in the midst of the humanity of Lenten Ash, Dust, & Desert. [See Sermon Notes for entire text.]
