Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The readings for today are for Sunday of the last week during Lent.  Palm Sunday and Holy Week will follow.  Appropriately, today’s readings resonate with themes of transition and promise—and foreshadowing.   

Jeremiah (31:31-34) proclaims change and transition, “The days are coming…when I will make a new covenant…it will not be like the (old) covenant”; as well as promise, “All…shall know me for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.”  Psalm 51 expresses our acknowledging reply, “Create a clean heart in me, O God…wash me from my guilt…a steadfast spirit renew in me…give me back the joy of your salvation.”  Yes, your change is coming!  We are ready, include us, please.  In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews (5:7-9) shifts our focus as we read of Jesus’ human anguish, “he offered prayers with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him.” And, we read of Christ as our exemplary model for obedience to the will of God.  It is deeply human to weep, to plead and to concede.  Jesus truly experienced those emotions so familiar to each of us.

John’s Gospel (12:20-33) brings us directly to the moment and matter at hand—Jesus is approaching Jerusalem for His final and ultimate Passover there.  Coming from raising Lazarus in Bethany, He has attracted a crowd—including some who know Him well and others who are curious.  John describes Jesus as focused on what was to come, “I am troubled now; yet what shall I say?” So, rather than meeting with the curious, He foreshadows Gethsemane and speaks to His inevitability.  Through parable, He compares Himself to a grain of wheat that must die to grow and produce much desired sustenance.  And, perhaps to reinforce and to validate what He had said, we learn the crowd became aware of a great heavenly voice, “Now is the time…when I am lifted up…I will draw everyone to myself.”  Thus, the stage is set for his entry into Jerusalem, His Passion, and His gift of a new and forgiving and saving Covenant.  

Prayer

Bring us with You, O Lord.  Embrace us despite our questioning and hesitation.  Bring us with You into Your New Covenant and Your greatest gift of gifts, our salvation.  Amen.

Church Hindes, ’69, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

Gospel: John 12:20-33

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Saturday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

Jeremiah does not want to be a prophet.  He is quiet, meek, and peace-loving.  He is a “man of great heart, with a gift of speaking what is in his soul.”  He is a prototype par excellence of our Suffering Savior.  Jeremiah’s life is dedicated to saving his people.  He preached repentance to those who were ruthless, unfair, and indifferent; he rebuked royalty for their complacency and wickedness.  He became hated by everyone; even his own relatives and townsmen tried to assassinate him.  He is beaten, mocked, scorned, and put into prison.  Jeremiah is put to death for begging his people to repent and return to God.  He, who loved his people, became their enemy.  600 years later Jesus’ personal tragedy amazingly resembles that of Jeremiah.  Both are tragedies of loved people who refuse to change their hearts and amend their ways.

Insight into the heart of Jeremiah shows his suffering, we understand the pain of rejection from his own people.  Similarly, as we look into the heart of Jesus we understand the agony He felt when he was rejected by His own.  He, Who loved His people, became their enemy.  ‘Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, Had not realized they were hatching plots against me…Let us cut him off from the land of the living, So that his name will be spoken no more.’ Jer 11:19

Despite his sufferings, the opposition, the threats, and contempt Jeremiah is experiencing he knows that God is with him.  Jesus with the same experiences also prays to the Father: “O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge. save me, rescue me”.  Ps 7

In today’s Gospel, we experience the confusion surrounding Jesus.  He IS the Message and the Messenger; He is Prophet, yet He is one of us.  The political/religious leaders are uncertain, astounded by the Person, confused by the Message.  They reject Him and His Message.  He, Who loved his people, became their enemy.

Prayer

Lord God, in Your Presence I ask for clarity.  Help me to understand Who You are in my life.  Help me to know Your Message, to accept Your love, and to live Your Way.  Open my heart to Your Spirit and Your Truth.  I pray this in the Name of the Father, through His Son, in Unity with their Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Janice Couture, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20

Psalm 7:2-3, 9b-12

Gospel: John 7:40-53

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Friday of the Fourth Week

Feast of Saint Joseph

Reflection

When I was a part-time assistant priest at Saint Joseph Parish in Burlington several years ago, I served as spiritual director for the parish’s “Confraternity of Saint Joseph.”  Thus, I had plenty of opportunities to talk and write about this admirable man whom we the Church honor and celebrate today.

Sometime in the past, there was a popular film about an American in Ireland, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, entitled The Quiet Man; I only mention this here because we could rightly, I think, entitle the story of Saint Joseph, “The Quiet Man,” since we do not have in the Bible’s New Testament a single word spoken by Joseph. He is, however, depicted as a gentle, modest, humble man and, yet, a courageous man of action, surely a model for all of us, men in particular, as devoted husband and father, righteous or just – briefly a very good man, who manifested deep respect for his wife Mary and foster-son Jesus.

Joseph exemplified the “faithful servant,” whom “the Lord put in charge of his household.”  With fidelity and humility, as well as with courage and self-sacrifice, Joseph served Mary and Jesus, at times in very difficult and mysterious circumstances.  A reminder, perhaps, that we, too, are called by God to fulfill our responsibilities, whatever they might be, with fidelity and humility and generosity even, and perhaps especially, when it is difficult to do so.  I am especially grateful to my parents who when as an infant I received the sacrament of Baptism, for my middle name they chose, Joseph.

Prayer

That we may cultivate a deep devotion to Saint Joseph and pray to imitate his righteousness and justice, as well as his humility and courage, and his trust in God in challenging circumstances.  Amen.

Fr. Ray Doherty, S.S.E. ’51

Scripture

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

Second Reading: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Thursday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

As we go through our daily lives, it is easy to have our focus turn inward and downward. However, our proper orientation should be outward and upward. We should think beyond ourselves and order ourselves towards God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us, "How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not accept the praise that comes from the Only God?" (John 5:44) We often seek to satisfy our own will and the will of others over and against attempting to satisfy the will of God.  We seek to get right with our fellow man rather than getting right with God. 

There is nothing wrong with praising one another, but it should be in recognition of the presence of God in others. Human praise is often not a good guide to what is right and wrong.  Praise that is based on worldly matters and values keep us looking inward and encourages sin. The praises that we give and receive should be directed towards fulfillment of the will of God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, during this Lenten season, help us to reject the temptation of worldly praise.  May we praise You for Your perfect goodness and seek to listen You to guide our words, actions, and values.  Amen.

Ben Newbury, ’23

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 106:19-23
Gospel: John 5:31-47

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Wednesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “I cannot do anything on my own.” What a radical statement! How often do we stubbornly try to live life without seeking support from those around us, or even from God? For me, the answer is too often. My ego and independence get the best of me, and I try to make it on my own. 

In the Psalm and First Reading, God reminds us of the support He gives to everyone in need—comforting His people, showing mercy to the afflicted, lifting up those who are falling down, and being compassionate towards all His works. He is there for us, even in all our struggles. 

Today’s readings are an invitation to trust in God and to ask Him to help us. Like Jesus, we too cannot do anything on our own. God offers so much guidance, comfort, and joy to those who choose to bring their problems and worries to Him. As the Psalm says, “the Lord is near to all who call upon Him.” Let us call upon God to come live within us. 

Prayer

Lord, help us to lean into Your support and love. Help us to trust in You, to call on You, and to seek You always.

Marina Jerry, ’19

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 49:8-15

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Tuesday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

"Do you want to be well?” 

 This line stood out to me as I read today’s Gospel.  I think we all can stand there and say yes.  But do we really want to be healed from all that ails us?

 Lately every time I stop to pray, I feel like I ask God to heal something about me.  It could be anything from a physical pain, an emotional pain, or a spiritual pain.  As I reflected more on this question Jesus asks with the pains I was currently struggling with, I began to see that I might not really be saying a full yes to this question.  I thought about my physical pain and realized I might not be as consistent in my physical therapy as I should be.  I thought about my emotional pain and asked myself if I am truly ready to let go of the baggage I’m carrying.  I thought about my spiritual pains and noticed I could probably fit more time with God into my daily life. 

 In the Gospel story, Jesus commands the man to “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”  How many of my pains can be healed or have my burdens feel lighter if I pick myself up and move forward?  If I follow Him without question or hesitation, it would be all of them.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be healed of my ailments like the man in today’s Gospel.  Let your Grace and Love surround me in my sufferings.  May I find comfort and healing in Your arms.  Amen.

Maura Grogan, ’14

Scripture

First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Gospel: John 5:1-16

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Monday of the Fourth Week

Reflection

As I remember the journey we have taken as a community over the last twelve months and reflect on today’s readings, I see in them a breath of fresh air and an assurance of good things to come. The readings are infused with an unrelenting optimism about the promise of the future. And the best thing is that we don’t have to wait to embrace that positive attitude.

Isaiah says that “there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.” What God has created surrounds us all the time—and as we muddle through the end of winter and squish into the spring, we have an opportunity to watch God’s power as the natural world re-awakens all around us. As we approach the vernal equinox, our lives are tipping toward the light and our mourning may change into dancing with the dawn of each new day. The Lord provides for our rescue through our own faith. 

John’s Gospel continues to advance the idea of the need for us all to have faith, to believe. The royal official in the story believes that Jesus might save his child. Jesus cautions him saying that “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” But the official does believe and returns to find his son cured. We too, are challenged to put our faith in God and all His glory and to set aside our desire for a sign or proof of God.

 Prayer

Lord, help me to see beyond the challenges and setbacks I have encountered recently and to look with renewed hope and optimism toward the glory and the promise of the next moment.

John Devlin, Professor of Fine Arts, Theatre

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-21
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b
Gospel: John 4:43-54

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website