Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Ezekiel 37:21-28; John 11:45-56)

When the high priest Caiaphas tells the Sanhedrin “’… one man should die instead of the people,’” he does not know half the truth he is expressing.  Caiaphas thinks he is making what might be called a utilitarian argument – better that one man dies than one million.  However, his words have a more profound spiritual meaning.  He is saying that one man, namely Jesus, will die to save not only the Jewish nation but the entire world from sin and death.  Since Caiaphas is high priest, his words carry God’s sanction and special import.

It is likely that when we say, “God loves us” or “Jesus saves us,” we likewise do not know the half of it. God loves us so much that he allows His own son to be humiliated, tortured, and crucified to redeem us from our sins.  Jesus saves us not just from sin and meaninglessness but from extinction.  As we begin Holy Week tomorrow, these realizations should permeate our minds and hearts.  In this most sacred time, we should want to offer God all the glory and honor that are His due.

Friday, March 27, 2026

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42)

Today’s gospel looks forward to next Friday when the Passion of the Lord will be commemorated.  Its action takes place on the Feast of the Dedication, known as Hanukkah today.  The Jews are celebrating the rededication of the Temple altar that was defiled in Antiochus Epiphanes’ effort to crush Jewish culture. As grievous a crime as that was, John the Evangelist sees the Jews attempting an even more serious offense in trying to kill Jesus.

The Jews harass Jesus because he has called himself the “’Son of God.’”  They rightly conclude that making such a claim Jesus is equating himself to God.  Jesus defends himself by observing that Scripture itself calls “’gods’” some who have received the word of God.  He claims an even greater right to the title because he is the word made flesh whom the Father has sent.  Jesus’ argument only infuriates the Jews more.  He must leave Jerusalem and Israel until the moment comes for his sacrifice.

 Although we await the annual celebration of Jesus’ paschal mystery, we celebrate the same event in the Eucharist today and every day. In the Eucharist the altar replaces the cross as the locus of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice.  Our sins are forgiven, and we receive a foretaste of eternal life.  We do not need any church structure, much less the Jewish Temple, to realize these benefits.  All that is necessary are bread and wine, the words and actions of a priest, and our faith.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

 

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59)

Today’s gospel is difficult to understand.  It may be profitably seen as a trial with Jesus in the witness stand.  He has been accused of diabolical possession because he claims to have seen Abraham, the patriarch.  When Jesus suggests that he is divine with his testimony, “’I AM,’” the Jews find him guilty of blasphemy and try to execute him. 

At the trial Jesus gives as evidence the testament of Abraham.  The first reading provides background information on the patriarch.  Abraham’s faith in God gained him the honor of becoming the father of many nations.  His numerous descendants will possess the land of Canaan. 

Just as the first readers of John’s Gospel, we see God’s promise to Abraham fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  As his legacy grew immensely with non-Jews accepting Jesus, it continues to expand today.  Throughout the Global South and especially in Africa, the number of Christians is increasing.  The promise of “the whole land of Canaan” becoming the possession of his descendants is fulfilled as well.  We are not talking about real estate here but of the same “land” destined to the meek in the Beatitudes. Let us hope and work to be counted among its recipients.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

 (Isaiah 7:10-14.8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38)

 One scene will always stand out in the film classic, “Boys’ Town.”  A young boy enters the office of Boys Town founder, Fr. Flanagan, with an even younger child on his back.  With the priest’s face looking astonished, the boy tries to put him at ease.  “He’s not heavy, Father;” he says, “he’s my brother.” The wonder of today’s feast can be described with these words.

 The Annunciation commemorates more than the angel’s announcement of Mary’s divine motherhood.  More importantly, it celebrates God’s taking on human flesh.  It might be said that on this feast the Church praises God for becoming a brother.  God does so not that He might understand better the human experience.  After all, God knows all.  Nor is God looking for human praise.  He has no need for that. Rather, God becomes human so that humans might know how much He loves them.  Like the child being carried by his older brother, humans now have experienced directly God’s infinite care.

 God’s becoming human links us more closely to one another as well.  He is not just a common bond but also a constant reminder that we have to care for one another.  Remembering Christ’s promise of blessing to those who care for the needy, we should say with Mary, “May it be done to me according to your word.’”

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

(Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30)

The Pharisees in today’s gospel ask Jesus, “’Who are you?’”  Christian faith rests upon this question.  If Jesus is only the son of Joseph and Mary, a powerful preacher and healer, and the organizer of a small community of disciples, then there is scant reason to conform our lives to his. He would be like many other celebrated humans of history.  Conversely, if Jesus really is what he hints at being in this passage --the great “I AM” of biblical tradition, the Lord of heaven and earth -- then we would be foolish not to give him full allegiance.

The two principal readings indicate why we should adhere to Jesus.  In the first, the Israelites are roaming in the desert.  They should remind us of many people today in search of health and happiness.  As the Israelites find their salvation in looking at the saraph serpent mounted on a pole, we find peace in this reckless world around us by praying to Christ on the cross.  More importantly, in the gospel Jesus says that he is going where the Pharisees cannot come.  He is referring to his home with the Father.  Later in the gospel (John 14:2), he tells his disciples that he will prepare a place for them there.  The Father’s home is beatitude, eternal happiness and our destiny.

Within the next two weeks we will be celebrating Jesus’ death on the cross and Resurrection from the dead.  Like the well-worn paths of Christian holy places, these liturgies will mark us as Jesus’ faithful followers.  They will shuttle us closer to our eternal home.