An Invitation to Life for the Thirsty Soul
Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent
All of us carry a deep thirst in our hearts. Especially during difficult times, we may feel like travelers wandering a long road, searching for just one sip of water. This thirst cannot be fully satisfied by anything in the world. It reminds us of God’s invitation to return to Him and be filled again.
In today’s psalm, we hear the voice of someone speaking as if to a close friend:
“O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
These words come from someone walking through a hot desert, longing for shade and water. Yet in the middle of that deep thirst, the psalmist discovers something most precious in life:
“Your steadfast love is better than life,
so my lips will praise you.” (Psalm 63:3)
We have all had “desert times” in our lives—times of grief, illness, loneliness, or pain. During such times, we are often led to ask, “What do I truly need?” Like the rain after a long drought, these wilderness experiences can deepen our longing for God. And when that longing is met, we can find true satisfaction, like someone feasting on rich and nourishing food.
The novel Silence by Shusaku Endo also explores this kind of deep longing. There is a character named Kichijiro, who often falls and denies his faith. Yet even in his weakness, he continues to long for God. Though he may seem cowardly, his struggles help us see what true thirst for God looks like, and what repentance really means. Faith is not about being perfect. It is about standing up again and again, each time we fall, and turning back toward God.
In the Epistle, Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians about the history of the Israelites. Like an elder telling the story of the family’s past, he invites them to remember the journey of their ancestors.
The Israelites were blessed with many miracles: they followed the cloud through the wilderness, crossed the Red Sea, ate manna from heaven, and drank water from the rock. Paul says, “The rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Yet, even after all these gifts, many of them fell. They worshiped idols, complained, and tested God. Paul tells us this as a warning:
“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)
No matter how long we’ve walked in faith, we must always remain humble. Salvation is not a one-time event—it is a daily journey with God.
But Paul also gives us comfort:
“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but… he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
We may fall, like the Israelites or like Kichijiro in Silence. But God’s love is deeper than our failures, stronger than our betrayals, and wider than our sins. God knows that we are weak. And still, He loves us. That truth gives us the strength to rise again.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of two tragic events: Pilate killing Galileans, and a tower falling and killing eighteen people. (Luke 13:1–5) At that time, people believed such tragedies were punishments for sin. But Jesus says, “No.”
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners…? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” (Luke 13:2–3)
Jesus is not telling us to judge others. Instead, he urges all of us to repent. Repentance is not just saying “I’m sorry.” It means turning around. It’s like walking north and then suddenly turning to go south. It means turning away from sin and back toward God.
Jesus then tells a parable about a fig tree. For three years, it has borne no fruit. The owner says, “Cut it down!” But the gardener says,
“Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.” (Luke 13:8)
“One more year”—this is grace. This is the time God gives us to turn around. Lent is such a time. It is like an oasis in the desert. How will we use this precious time?
Throughout today’s readings, we hear a clear message. The psalmist speaks of true longing. Paul speaks of learning from past failures. Jesus speaks of repentance and God’s patient love.
All of them ask us:
What kind of fruit are we bearing in our lives?
In Isaiah, God says,
“Listen carefully to me… so that you may live.” (Isaiah 55:3)
Like rain after drought, God’s Word brings life to our souls.
Jesus, the gardener, pleads for us: “Give them one more year.” Like a patient farmer caring for his orchard, Jesus tends to us—digging, watering, and waiting. Our task is to accept his care, listen to his Word, and drink his living water.
Faith without fruit is like a flower without fragrance, or a tree without leaves. Our faith must bloom in love, forgiveness, mercy, and kindness.
Life is always changing, like the seasons. Spring brings new shoots, summer brings green leaves, autumn brings fruit, and winter brings rest. What season is your faith in right now? Let us live in a way that bears fruit for God.
Today’s message gives us three lessons:
First, we must turn away from empty longings and seek God. Only God can satisfy our thirsty souls.
Second, though trials will come, God is with us. Like a strong friend walking beside us, He walks every path with us.
Third, we are called to repent and be renewed, and to bear fruit in our faith.
This Lent, let us reflect on what our souls are truly longing for. Let us look honestly into our hearts, as if standing before a mirror.
God says to us today,
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Let us answer that invitation, drink from the water of life, and live a fruitful life.
Let us give thanks for God’s constant love and patience. And may our lives bloom with that love, like flowers in a well-tended garden.
Amen.