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Fada ZEGE, Catholic Diocese of Yola, Yola (2026)

02/04/2026

HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY
Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
“The Eucharist is a Testimony of God’s Love for Us”

Holy Thursday belongs to two liturgical periods: until the hour of vespers it is the final day of Lent, while the evening Mass in Coena Domini opens the Easter Triduum. It is the final preparation for Easter. In the evening of the Holy Thursday, the Church celebrates the three significant gifts which Jesus Christ imparted to his beloved Bride the Church namely, the Priesthood, the Eucharist and Love that is stronger than death expressed in the washing of the feet. This evening the Church enters the upper room for the Coena Domini. He the Lord and Master of all kneels humbly to wash the feet of the men he has called to serve. During the Last supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, sacrificial Lamb, and teaches that every ordained Priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way.

Today’s Mass stresses the importance Jesus put on humility of service and the need for cleaning with water, a symbol of Baptism. Also emphasized are the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which we know find present in the Consecrated Host.

Today the Church goes to the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover. The shadow of the Cross has been evident from the very onset through the references to Jesus’ hour (hora). The hour when the Lamb, which was selected four days ago is prepared for the Passover sacrificial meal. The Lamb is about to be sacrificed for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The hour when Jesus will Pass over (Metabe; Leave) from this world to the Father. In the Upper Room tonight Jesus exposes himself as the Sacrificial Lamb. On this occasion, he poses to teach us a lesson on humility. "Jesus got up from the meal took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist” (John 13: 4). The washing of the feet and the crucifixion are actions arising from love.

Beasley- Murray said: "In the foot washing we have ‘an acted parable of the Lord’s humiliation unto death.” I see more of love and forgiveness in the foot washing by the Son of God; he washes feet, even the feet of the one who will betray him. He then invites them and indeed all of us to do the same. Pope Francis did something similar recently when he kissed the feet of Sudanese rival leaders that went to Rome, asking them to allow peace to reign by this humble gesture. The washing of feet is connected to the real understanding of trust, humility, tenderness, respect and new life. Our feet are literally the gateway to our whole body.

Tonight, we celebrate Jesus’ Testimonial – Testamentum, the Eucharist. Jesus tonight instituted the Eucharist as well as the Priesthood, the sacrament of his Body and Blood and ministers who will perform the ritual. Each time we celebrate the Eucharist we celebrate the testimony of God’s love for us namely: that God become Man and died that we might live again. St. Paul in our second reading tells us that this is a tradition that he received, 1Cor 11:23. Tradition can be defined as what is handed down from generation to generation. As Africans we all know the place and value of our tradition, and as such we emphasize it. So each time we celebrate the Mass we participate in the traditional testimony of love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ son of God.

Lessons to learn:
1. Jesus in stooping down to wash the feet of his disciples, a task normally done by slaves and disciples for their master leaves a lesson on humility. Jesus sets the standard for leadership position. How often do we wash the feet of our family members, friends, and strangers especially when those feet had matched various deformities? (In the wake of covid-19 and the precautionary measures of stay at home, can parents share the word of God with their family members and wash their feet tonight?)

2. How often do we wash the feet of those who are our perceived enemies? Jesus stooped down and washed the feet of Judas even when he knew that Judas will betray him. Perhaps in washing the feet of our enemies they become converted.

3. How often do we purify ourselves before the Eucharistic celebration especially from mortal sins? Before He will establish the memorial meal He will first all, wash them (the disciples) of their filthiness, guilt and sin so that they can be able to share in the passing over meal.

4. Do you value the Eucharist as the testimony of Jesus’ love for you? John lost his mother when he was about ten years old and the Sisters took him to their children home. The first thing they did was to give him a warm shower and clean cloths. He loved his new outfit but put on his old tattered cap. He clutched it tightly each time they sisters want to remove it. After much persuasion he exchanged it for new one. But before accepting the new one, he ripped the lining from the old one and stuffed it in his pocket. “Why did you do that?” the sisters asked. He replied: “Because that is part of my mother’s dress.” Do this in memory of me.

Prayer:
Almighty and merciful Father May I learn from you the grace of true humility in serving others. May the Eucharist I receive each day strengthen my love for you. This I ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy Holy Thursday!
HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY
Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 13:1-15
“The Eucharist is a Testimony of God’s Love for Us”

Holy Thursday belongs to two liturgical periods: until the hour of vespers it is the final day of Lent, while the evening Mass in Coena Domini opens the Easter Triduum. It is the final preparation for Easter. In the evening of the Holy Thursday, the Church celebrates the three significant gifts which Jesus Christ imparted to his beloved Bride the Church namely, the Priesthood, the Eucharist and Love that is stronger than death expressed in the washing of the feet. This evening the Church enters the upper room for the Coena Domini. He the Lord and Master of all kneels humbly to wash the feet of the men he has called to serve. During the Last supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, sacrificial Lamb, and teaches that every ordained Priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way.

Today’s Mass stresses the importance Jesus put on humility of service and the need for cleaning with water, a symbol of Baptism. Also emphasized are the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which we know find present in the Consecrated Host.
Today the Church goes to the Upper Room to celebrate the Passover. The shadow of the Cross has been evident from the very onset through the references to Jesus’ hour (hora). The hour when the Lamb, which was selected four days ago is prepared for the Passover sacrificial meal. The Lamb is about to be sacrificed for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The hour when Jesus will Pass over (Metabe; Leave) from this world to the Father. In the Upper Room tonight Jesus exposes himself as the Sacrificial Lamb. On this occasion, he poses to teach us a lesson on humility. "Jesus got up from the meal took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist” (John 13: 4). The washing of the feet and the crucifixion are actions arising from love.
Beasley- Murray said: "In the foot washing we have ‘an acted parable of the Lord’s humiliation unto death.” I see more of love and forgiveness in the foot washing by the Son of God; he washes feet, even the feet of the one who will betray him. He then invites them and indeed all of us to do the same. Pope Francis did something similar recently when he kissed the feet of Sudanese rival leaders that went to Rome, asking them to allow peace to reign by this humble gesture. The washing of feet is connected to the real understanding of trust, humility, tenderness, respect and new life. Our feet are literally the gateway to our whole body.
Tonight, we celebrate Jesus’ Testimonial – Testamentum, the Eucharist. Jesus tonight instituted the Eucharist as well as the Priesthood, the sacrament of his Body and Blood and ministers who will perform the ritual. Each time we celebrate the Eucharist we celebrate the testimony of God’s love for us namely: that God become Man and died that we might live again. St. Paul in our second reading tells us that this is a tradition that he received, 1Cor 11:23. Tradition can be defined as what is handed down from generation to generation. As Africans we all know the place and value of our tradition, and as such we emphasize it. So each time we celebrate the Mass we participate in the traditional testimony of love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ son of God.
Lessons to learn:
1. Jesus in stooping down to wash the feet of his disciples, a task normally done by slaves and disciples for their master leaves a lesson on humility. Jesus sets the standard for leadership position. How often do we wash the feet of our family members, friends, and strangers especially when those feet had matched various deformities? (In the wake of covid-19 and the precautionary measures of stay at home, can parents share the word of God with their family members and wash their feet tonight?)
2. How often do we wash the feet of those who are our perceived enemies? Jesus stooped down and washed the feet of Judas even when he knew that Judas will betray him. Perhaps in washing the feet of our enemies they become converted.
3. How often do we purify ourselves before the Eucharistic celebration especially from mortal sins? Before He will establish the memorial meal He will first all, wash them (the disciples) of their filthiness, guilt and sin so that they can be able to share in the passing over meal.
4. Do you value the Eucharist as the testimony of Jesus’ love for you? John lost his mother when he was about ten years old and the Sisters took him to their children home. The first thing they did was to give him a warm shower and clean cloths. He loved his new outfit but put on his old tattered cap. He clutched it tightly each time they sisters want to remove it. After much persuasion he exchanged it for new one. But before accepting the new one, he ripped the lining from the old one and stuffed it in his pocket. “Why did you do that?” the sisters asked. He replied: “Because that is part of my mother’s dress.” Do this in memory of me.
Prayer:
Almighty and merciful Father May I learn from you the grace of true humility in serving others. May the Eucharist I receive each day strengthen my love for you. This I ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy Holy Thursday!

28/03/2026

LESSONS OF PALM SUNDAY
About two thousand years ago, Our Lord Jesus Christ rode on an ass triumphantly into Jerusalem. This historic entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem in Christendom is now known and celebrated as Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the sixth and last Sunday of lent and the beginning of Holy Week, a Sunday of the highest rank, not even a Commemoration of any kind is permitted in Catholic Eucharistic Celebration, the Mass. All through the history of Christianity this day has been celebrated with greatness and peasantry among the various customs and traditions. The Latin liturgical books call it, Dominica in Palmis, Dominica or Dies Palmarum, a name derived from the actions of the people of Jerusalem. “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him…” Jn 12: 13.

Jesus going to Jerusalem was in humble submission to the will of the father and in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Matthew explicitly states that the solemn procession was to fulfill the prophecy made by Zechariah years before; “Say to the daughter of Zion: see, your king comes to you in all simplicity, riding on a donkey, a beast of burden, with its colt.” Matthew 21:5
The book of Exodus, ordered that in the month of Nisan the Paschal lamb was to be selected, and four days later was to be taken to the place where it was to be sacrificed. On Palm Sunday, the Lamb, Jesus was chosen by popular acclaim in Jerusalem. On Good Friday He was sacrificed. The popular acclamation of the people; “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, glory in the highest!” Matthew 21:9 will eventually be turned into persecuting chants.

On Good Friday the same people who went out to welcome Jesus as the Messiah king, spreading palm branches, and their clothing, chanting Hosanna will change the palms into spears and Hosannas into crucify him. This further illustrates the double standard of human nature, saying yes now and no later. We are often too quick to forget God’s blessing only to come back to Him when the going gets tough and sour. Amidst the shouts of the multitude He could hear the whispers of a Judas and the angry voice before Pilate’s palace. The throne to which He was hailed was a cross, and His real coronation would be a crucifixion. On this day plenty garments were placed below his feet, but on Friday He would be denied even His own. They soldiers divided his clothing thus fulfilling one the ancient prophecies concerning His death: They divided my clothing among them; they cast lots for my garment. Jn 19:24

Since this Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, during which sinners were reconciled, it was called Dominica indulgentioe, competentium and capitilavium from the practice of washing and shaving of the head as a bodily preparation for baptism. It really ushers us to look back on the redemptive works of God personified in the person of Christ. As Christians we look back on this heroic work of Christ, His humble submission to go Jerusalem knowing perfectly well what awaits him. His entrance into Jerusalem exemplifies Christ total acceptance of the will of His father. It was a moment that will really usher in His hour. The hour signifies his suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection.

All through history solemn procession have been held on Palm Sunday in remembrance of that day that our Lord and saviour rode triumphantly into Jerusalem to commence his redemptive work. People often made quaint and realistic representations: a priest or minister seated on an ass with the congregation carrying palm branches, trees with great chants. Christians process with Christ in identification with His acceptance of suffering, crucifixion and death. Need it be emphasized that the spiritual procession should be deeply contemplated upon by Christians. In the practice of the spiritual procession we cast down our vices; arrogance, weaknesses, greed, envy and bodily desires as palms and clothing for Him to walk on. We totally avail ourselves of the privilege of going to Calvary with him, so that we can triumphantly rise with him. The palms we carry on his day should remind us of the joy and victory over the flesh and the world according to Psalm 92:13, “the virtuous will flourish like palm trees… On the basis of Apocalypse 7:9, the palm in Christian liturgy and art has become the symbol of the Martyr. The Apocalypse speaks of a great multitude standing before the throne of the Lamb with palms of victory in their hands.

In the five prayers which are then said the bishop or priest asks God to bless the branches of palm or olive, that they may be a protection to all places into which they may be brought, that the right hand of God may expel all adversity, bless and protect all who dwell in them, who have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ. The prayers make reference to the dove bringing back the olive branch to Noah’s ark and the multitude greeting Our Lord; they say that the branches of palm signifying victory over the prince of death and olive the advent of spiritual unction through Christ. The palm blessed and given out on this day becomes a sacramental in the Houses of Christians. It is brought back to the church and burnt to be used as ashes for the Ash Wednesday.

The humility of Christ in using an ass which was a beast of burden over a horse that was meant for kingly ceremonials stands in contrast to our present day leaders flamboyant exuberance. Scriptures says that ass was even a borrowed one. Truly, He who was rich became poor for our sakes, that we might be rich. At His birth he borrowed a manger, at His death a tomb to be buried. What a humility. Their choice of exotic cars which are often exorbitant to maintain and their arrogant display of power as the shove around in pretense of carrying out official duties really stand in contradiction to the humility of Christ. The often brutality meted out on road users as they moved around in the name of convoys and escorts stands in opposite direction to the way Jesus reacted to the crowd that came in hundreds to receive Jesus.

As we process with Christ on Palm Sunday let us learn from His example of humility and total surrender to the will of God. Let us go with Him to Calvary that we may die with Him and so rise with Him to new life at Easter.

22/03/2026

Homily for 5th Sunday of Lent Year A
Ezek 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
“If he delays, wait for him. He surely come and restore”

The bells of death are already ringing around the person Jesus. The shadow of the cross is almost becoming visible as we approach the festivities of Easter. Thus this Sunday we journey and meditate on the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John- the narrative of the resurrection of Lazarus from the death.

“The empty tomb of Lazarus provoked the decision to give him a Cross; but He in return would give up the Cross for the empty tomb (Fulton J. Sheen).” Lazarus’ resurrection is the resurrection that marked and prepared him for his own death and resurrection. This miracle will spark up the long anger and jealousy of the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders against Jesus. He has often spoken about his resurrection and promised his followers that he will give eternal life to those who believe in him (Jn 6:55), thereby affirming him as God. Previously he raised others from the death. The first was the daughter of Jairus, the other was the son of the widow of Nain. The first had just died; the second was already in the coffin; but the most astounding of all was Lazarus.

Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary who lives in Bethany and in whose house Jesus and his disciples has found hospitality. Jesus was preaching Jordan some distance from Bethany when Lazarus fell sick and died. His sisters sent words to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick (Jn11:4)” The response of Jesus to this message is similar to the answer he gave his disciples last Sunday concerning the man born blind- manifestation of the glory of God (Jn 9:3). Jesus said, “This illness will not end in death; rather for God’s glory, and the Son of God will be glorified through it (Jn 11:4)”. We are told that Jesus when he received this news stayed back two days. If the final chapter on Lazarus’ life hadn’t been written Jesus would have been seen as someone lacking sympathy.

“God’s delays are mysterious; sorrow is something prolonged for the same reason for which it is sent (Fulton J. Sheen).” Heaven’s time is different from earthly time. God’s time is the best we are often told and indeed it is. There is an African adage that says, “One who runs faster than the gods, will run and get tired.” God is patient in all that he does and those who are His children must follow His with patience. The works of evil are sometimes done in a hurry. Our Lord will tell Judas to go about his work quickly. When His time is matured, his restores beyond our expectations. Wait on Him.

“If you had been here, my brother would not have died (Jn 11:21)”. This was Martha’s reaction when Jesus arrived at the scene of mourning. This was the remark of someone who is angry that her expectations were not met. Sometimes we too do say some stuff like this when we find ourselves at some difficult crossroads in life. Jesus will use this moment to build up her faith and trust in him as the Lord of the resurrection and life. Just like the woman at the well who knew that the messiah will come and didn’t know the he was in front of her and talking to her, Martha though believing in the resurrection didn’t know that the resurrection was standing before her. Just as he told the woman at the well that he was the Messiah, so now He said to Martha: “I am the resurrection (Jn 11:25).

The next was the scene that depicts the humanity of Jesus not as some stoic deity but a God who identifies with his creation. “Jesus wept (Jn 11:35)”, the shortest verse of scripture. Jesus is described as weeping three times in scripture; once he wept over a nation- when he wept over Jerusalem; once in the garden of Gethsemane, when he wept over the sins of the world; and now he wept over Lazarus, when he wept for the effect of sin which is death. None of these tears was for himself but humanity whom he had come salvage from sin and its effect death.

Then came moment of glory to perform the miracle that lead to his own death. Although Martha and cautioned him Lazarus is dead and by now would be smelling from tomb. Jesus will command the Lazarus to come back to live, “Lazarus come out (Jn 11:43).” And Lazarus will come out from the tomb after been captive by death now restored to live. In the presence of hostile witnesses and haters a man who had been dead for four days was restored to life.

“Untie him, and let him go (Jn 11:44)’, were the command of Jesus. For Jewish the dead was bound with linen. The word “to untie”, has a more deeper meaning. In the early Church it refers to forgiveness of sins. The early church used in referring to forgiveness of sins. Like Lazarus, one who receives pardon returns to life. With these many Jews come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. This restoration of Lazarus from dead to life will trigger the death sentence on Jesus. They feared his popularity will put then out of market. Thus, the plan now is how to get arrested and killed.

Lessons to learn:
1. Certain delays are for our own good rather, God may delay but he will definitely come to our rescue. God’s time is the best.

2. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, Jesus is the source of life. No matter how bad, rotten, smelling or dead the thing is Jesus will always restore it.

Prayer:
Almighty and merciful Father, grant me the grace of patience during difficult. When I find pulled down by sin, untie me from the sin and death. This I ask through Christ our Lord.

14/03/2026

Homily for 4th Sunday of Lent Year A
1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41
Lord open the Eyes of Heart Lord, I want to see you”

Whenever some strong sickness befalls someone, the neigbours often begin various analyses. This is especially when the person concern is being considered to be wicked or mischievous. You will hear things like, “It is good for him”, “Karma has caught up with him”. Among the Hausa you will hear stuff like, “Maganin shi”, Shi ya jawo kansa”.Most often times whatever ill fate that befalls the person wasn’t as a result of his or her attitude or behavior. Certain thing happens for the glory of God.

Today, we journey with John in his account of the healing of the blind man who was born blind from birth. The story begins with the debate among Jesus’s disciples of the man they met who is blind from birth. Their argument was the man’s blindness was as result of the sins of his parents. It was a cultural and religious belief that certain sufferings are associated with some unholy actions. We can see a link between sin and sickness implied somewhere in the Gospel accounts (cf. Mk 2:1-12; Lk 13:10-17). Jesus’ response throws light this perceived cultural cm religious belief, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” Indeed, illnesses and infirmities maybe due to other causes. Some may be due to natural causes; other as in Jn 9, may be due to possibility of divine intervention. Some of these interventions in our world today will triggered some unhealthy behavior and hatred from some various quarters that would be lead to religious antagonism and doubt.

In Jn 9:6-7, we read of the man’s healing from by the use of nature-mud and water. Jesus invokes the creation of Adam from dust, suggesting a “new creation” for the man and reordering of spiritual reality. Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud, and tells the man to wash in the pool of siloam, a symbolic act involving both divine power and human obedience. The healing reminds us of the power of God to restore our health, in the case of the blind man sight using what is natural here mud and water: Mud, man’s mortality and water, man’s immortality. It further expresses that for our salvation we must be obedient.

The drama that ensued after the healing will lead to faith formation for the blind man now healed while blindness for the Pharisees. The Pharisees were first worried that Jesus had healed on a Sabbath day which was informed by their investigation of the man who was carrying his mat. In the action of the Pharisees we see human’s ingratitude. They have always seen and known this man to be blind and all of sudden he is seen walking with a mat which was forbidden to carry on a Sabbath. Our expectation should have been that of Joy and identifying with the healed man on his healing but we see hatred. The Pharisees by their action were unable to see this miracle because they are blinded by their rules and regulations.

The next set people who became blind were his parents. They are so afraid of being kicked out of the synagogue for being Jesus’ followers that they refuse to say what happened to their son. Let him speak for himself, they the Pharisees. Their fear has blinded them from seeing and celebrating the miracle they no doubt had been praying for. In the parents of the blind we see fear and compromise of saying the truth. We too sometimes find us in the midst of such realities that we just seat on the fence, we are afraid of saying the truth for some personal gains. In such cases we become blind to God’s mercy and power in our lives and that of others.

All of this leads us to wonder, is there anyone in this story who is not blind in some way? By the end of the story, there will be one, and that is the man born blind. He is a remarkable man. But even he must grow in his faith before he can see and believe who Jesus truly is. After his physical sight is restored, he is brought before the Pharisees, who badger him with questions. He shares, openly and honestly, what happened. And when they ask him what he thinks about Jesus, he says to them, “He is a prophet.” You see? He is beginning to see, but he’s not there yet. Later, after his own parents have abandoned him, he is brought before the Pharisees again. They demanded that he tells them Jesus is a sinner. His answer: “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. The Pharisees don’t like the answer, of course. They kick him out of the synagogue, just as they threatened to do to his parents. And perhaps this suffering was part of the process toward his seeing who Jesus is. God can use even our most difficult experiences to help us see and believe in him.

Lessons to learn:
1. Certain physical challenges people go through is not as a result of their spiritual state with God- sin. Some challenges are for the manifestations of God’s power.

2. God uses what is most common to command our healing and for our healing and restoration we must be obedient to his command.

3. When we don’t celebrate or rejoice with those who experience God’s mercy and healing we become blind to God’s power and divine will.

4. Certain experiences in life are meant to build our faith and trust in God’s.

Prayer:
Almighty and merciful Father, open the eyes of heart Lord, I want to see you. Heal Lord from my physical and spiritual blindness that I might be able to see as my Lord and God. This I ask through Christ our Lord.

08/03/2026

Homily for 3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
Ex 17:3- 7; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42
“Jesus is the true living water that Quenches our thirst”

Today we reflect on the story of the conversion of the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus by Jacob’s well. It is a story of social boundary-crossing, typical of Jesus in all of the gospels, when he asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. To perfectly grasp this story we shall looking at the encounter from different phases.

The background of the encounter is that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples through Samaria. He found himself resting by a famous well and it is about noon the story tells us. The disciples have gone off in search of some lunch. Now is it important to understand that Samaritans and Jews did not get along well in the time of Jesus. And here we are, in today’s gospel reading the lengthy encounter of Jesus with a Samaritan woman. A Samaritan who chose to draw water at the heat of the day to avoid being seen by other women of her community, probably because of her past life (she has had five husbands).

“Give me a drink (Jn 4:7)”, this request by Jesus will set the tone for this epic conversion story in John’s gospel. To this request the woman will quickly remind Jesus of the socio-cultural difference between them. A difference built on the hinge of superiority which why the woman will say. “How is it that you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink? (Jn 4:9).” In addition to the socio-cultural difference it is taboo to talk to a woman at that time. Here we find Jesus crossing the lines as he always does in the gospel.

Jesus does not just care: what country we are from, what group of people we belong to, or even what we believe. If we are child of God, he cares. And Jesus even though he was tired, he looks at this woman, and he sees someone who is not just physically thirsty, but spiritually thirsty too. So he initiates a conversation with his request of a drink. The woman’s response takes the conversation to an unexpected place. He offers her water of his own, living water. He says to her: “But those, who drink of the water that I shall give, will never be thirsty; for the water, that I shall give, will become in them a spring of water, welling up to eternal life, (Jn 4:14).” This is the water that satisfies our spiritual thirst. The thirst that only Jesus can quench.

We all thirst for God, whether we know it or not. And until our thirst is quenched by God, we will run from well to well and drink and drink and never quench our thirst. We drink from the wells found in this world: food, money, pleasure, power, wealth, security and we will still found ourselves thirsty. We will be like a person stranded in the middle of an ocean: water everywhere we look, but nothing to quench our thirst.

At this point now the woman is interested in this water that Jesus was offering her but there are conditions attached to this desire. He says: “Go, call your husband, and come back here (Jn 4:16).” Some will ask why just give her the living water? What does the water has to do with her husband? She has no husband. She has had five husbands, as Jesus knows, and the one she has now is not her husband. He was only confronting her with the truth. He wasn’t condemning her, he has not come to judge, but to save, (Jn 3:17). Jesus knows that in order to be saved we have to give up the false wells in our life.

Before Jesus can really offer the living water that will finally quench our deepest thirst, he knows that we have got to repent; we have got to give up looking for it down the wrong well. We all have places we run to satisfy our spiritual thirst but the world is filled with false wells. For the Samaritan woman it seems to have been in relationships with men. Jesus was helping her to repent so that she can discover in Jesus the one true source of the living water. What is your false well?

The next little detail suggests that this woman was willing to leave her false wells behind. “So the woman left her water jar and ran to the town, (Jn 4:28).” Isn’t water why she went to the well in the first place? Why would she do that? Now the detail does not show us that water is not all that this woman was in search of. Not the most important thing. What she found in Jesus is more important than the water she came for. And so she leaves her water jar behind. It is a symbol of her leaving behind all her false wells in her life. And she invites us to do the same.

This conversion will lead her to invite others. “Come and see a man who told me everything I did! Could he not be the Christ, (Jn 4:29).” This woman now is missionary for Jesus. She was avoiding people. Now, she is seeking them out, because she has found the living water, and she is eager to share it with all. Now if God can use her testimony to bring amazing results, I wonder what he can do with ours.

Lessons:
1. God does not worry about our nationality, tribe or even social status in relating with us. He doesn’t treat us from our past lives. We are all God’s children.

2. Jesus is the living water that quenches our thirst. Stop looking for him in the wrong well. There are many false wells in our world today but Jesus offers the real water.

3. To able to drink from Jesus the well of living water we must be able to repent, renounce our former ways, the false wells in our lives.

4. And when you have found the true water who is Jesus, you are required to invite others, come and see.

Prayers:
Almighty and merciful Father, grant me the grace to renounce all the false wells in my life and seek you, the true well giving living water to spring of eternal life. This I ask through Christ our Lord.

Fada ZEGE

02/04/2026

28/03/2026

22/03/2026

14/03/2026

08/03/2026

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