Give me a drink
3rd Sun A Lent
Cobh
8 March 2026
My friends,
The Synod convened by the late Pope Francis in which Pope Leo was an active member, focused on three themes, Communion, Participation and Mission in the life of the Church. Despite meeting for two month long sessions in October 2024 and October 2025, there were still major issues for the Church today, which they had not time to deal with properly. So, they set up a number of groups to carry on the reflection on these topics. These groups are now publishing their findings.
Study Group No. 3 addressed the Church’s mission in the digital environment. They have published their report.
First, the report views digital space as a culture in its own right, with its own language and way of connecting. The Church has to learn that language and respect that new culture.
Second, the digital space is open, diverse and shared. Unlike the Church structure it has no borders.
Third, digital space while open and accessible it is not neutral – there are many victims of digital manipulators.
What you may ask has this to do with Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the Well – one of his truly fascinating in-depth meetings with a single individual. It is an encounter that enriches our thoughts on Communion, Participation and Mission. The online world offers many a window on the world of faith in Jesus, our Lord, and there are many who are making connections in this way, and you’d be inclined to say, “Isn’t that great!” But faith is more than the individual, it calls us into relationship with one another, communion with one another. The digital space must lead towards communion, not replace it. An example is in order.
Those unable to attend Mass due to incapacity are always excused. However, since Covid, many chose to ‘take in’ Mass on television. Such a practice, while well intentioned, falls short – while one is ‘present to Mass’, one is ‘not present at Mass’. Our participation calls us to be personally present for a real and wholesome exercise in a Communion of disciples.
Making this observation is to draw from the deeply personal and authentic unmediated encounter between the Lord Jesus and the Woman at the Well. An account that has many layers of meaning for us today.
Contrary to the culture of the day Jesus in his tiredness sat by the Well and asked a woman for a drink and of course a Samaritan Woman at that. The respectful conversation eased from the satiation and satisfaction of physical thirst to the deeper thirst of the human heart that yearns to be satisfied. The woman’s earnest questioning of Jesus brought her to a new awareness to the ways of God in her life – such that she could not but share her elation with others. Her joy was contagious.
This beautifully recalled encounter by St. John is in some respects a model for all authentic discipleship with Christ. It is personal, not just ideas. It moves the heart and mind to new vision. It shapes how we see and relate to others and to the World.
The Lenten journey, unique to each person seeks to allow that presence to be the source of our confidence, hope and gratitude.
