Friday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

In this fifth week of Lent, we begin to experience the inevitable heightening of the drama of the Lord as he moves toward the fulfillment of his passion. For those of us who take on the full mantle of Christ, he has not made it possible to experience the joys of his resurrection without the fullness of the cross.

One of the most terrible moments we can encounter in our walk with Jesus is expressed in the first reading:

“All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. Perhaps he (she) will be trapped; then we can prevail and take our vengeance upon him.” Jeremiah claims unshakeable faith that the Lord will rescue him from his foes. He entrusts himself to God.

The psalm boldly describes the depth of God’s servant crying in the midst of impossible trials: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” One must fully absorb that the psalmist does not look upon the death-defying trials but upon the Lord alone.

The gospel shows the escalating attacks upon Jesus. We know what is coming.

Prayer

Jesus, as we falter and faint in the experience of our deepest trials, let us behold the faith of those like Jeremiah and the psalmist, who received grace to believe you and obey you before you had even come to earth.

Caroline Rood
Member of the Worshipping Community 

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
Gospel: John 10:31-42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCB website