First reading
Exodus 17:3–7
Strike the rock, and water will flow from it.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 94(95):1–2, 6–9
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Second reading
Romans 5:1–2, 5–8
The love of God has been poured into our hearts.
Gospel acclamation
c.f. John 4:42, 15
Lord, you are truly the Saviour of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
Gospel
John 4:5–42
A spring of water welling up to eternal life
Images from the Word
- Give me a drink
- Spring inside
- Worship in spirit and truth
- Tormented by thirst
- Poured into our hearts
Liturgical notes
Baptism is the sacrament by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church and are built up together in the Spirit into a house where God lives, into a holy nation and a royal priesthood. Baptism is the sacramental bond of unity linking all who have been signed by it.
—Christian Initiation: General Introduction, §4
Once we have been baptised, we are drawn into a unity that transcends all boundaries of age, race or culture. We are called then to allow that unity to shine in our relations with all people. This unity must be expressed when we gather for Sunday Mass as we again share in our Communion with Christ and with one another. We must take that blessing of unity into our lives.
‘As we receive the pledge of things yet hidden in heaven and are nourished while still on earth with the Bread that comes from on high, we humbly entreat you, O Lord, that what is being brought about in us in mystery may come to true completion.’
—prayer after Communion