5th Week of Lent

March 29, Wed, 5th Week of Lent: 

 Readings -- Dn. 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Responsorial, Dn. 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; Jn. 8:31-42. 

 1. Notes on Holy Week -- Holy Week is the most sacred week in our liturgical year that began in Advent. It starts on the evening of Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday. It starts with a commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the betrayal of Jesus on Holy Wednesday, climaxing with the commemoration of the Lord's Last Supper on Holy Thursday, and the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. It concludes with Christ's rest in death and descent into hell (Hades, the place of the dead) on Holy Saturday. Its glorious climax begins at the Holy Saturday Vigil and Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

 2. The earliest allusion to the special observance of Holy Week is found in the Apostolic Constitutions (3rd-4th century). It prescribed abstinence for Holy Week and absolute fast for Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Good Friday was the first of the Holy Triduum to emerge into special prominence. Next came Holy Saturday with its vigil.The Holy Week liturgies among Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians are almost identical. 

 3. 1st Reading, Dn. 3:14- 20, 91-92, 95 -- King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a 90ft high golden statue made and ordered all Babylonians as well as the Jews in exile to bow down and worship the statue (vv. 1-17). But three Jews, Meschach, Sedrach, and Abednego (also named Azariah, see Dn. 1:7), refused, "We will not serve or worship your god" (v. 18). Enraged, the King ordered them to be cast into a white-hot furnace. In the midst of the fire, the three sang and blessed God (vv. 52-90). Amazed that they were not burned by the blazing fire, the King released them, saying, "Blessed be the God of Israel, who sent his angel to deliver them" from the furnace (v.95). 

 4. Responsorial, Dn. 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 -- the 1st 4 of 39 verses of the song of the the three men. "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestors; praiseworthy and exalted above all forever" (v. 52). "Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever" (v. 53). "Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever" (v. 54). "Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven.... blessed are your works in the heavens, praise and exalt him forever" (vv. 54-56). 

 5. Gospel, Jn. 8:31-42 -- Some Jews want to kill Jesus (see v. 37). But to the Jews who believe in him, Jesus says, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (v. 32). They reply that with Abraham as their ancestor they were always free (v. 33). 

 6. Jesus clarifies, "Amen, amen, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.... your ancestor is Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room for you" (vv. 34-37). "I tell you what I have seen from the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father" (v. 38). They reply that their father is Abraham. Jesus indicts them. They are not doing the works of their father, Abraham, because they are trying to kill him (vv. 39-40). "If God were your Father, you would love me,... for he sent me" (vv. 41-42). 

 7. For reflection and prayer: Faith in God is demonstrated by perseverance in adversity (1st Reading). It is lived out in discipleship, in doing the works of God (Gospel), doing works of charity. "Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, praiseworthy above all forever." 8. Prayer -- Almighty God, our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect of today's Holy Mass). 

 Prayers, stay safe, follow dr's advisories re heat wave, God bless!

5th Sunday of Lent

March 26, 5th Sunday of Lent: 

 Liturgy of the Word -- Ezek. 37:12-14; Ps. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Rom. 8:8-11; Jn. 11:1-45. 

 1. The Readings on this last Sunday before Holy Week are rich in meaning for personal reflection and prayer. The key ideas may be grouped thematically: *When in sin, we are like dry bones without life ( Ezek. 37); *We cry out to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness (Psalm 130); *And the Lord, in his mercy and love, raises us to life (Jn. 11); *We now belong to Christ as his disciples (Rom. 8); *And the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and gives new life to our mortal bodies (Rom. 8). *For Christ is "the Resurrection and the life," who will raise us up on the last day (Jn. 11). *We have received his gift of life, love, and mercy (Ezek 37; Ps. 130); *We believe and confess, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God!" (Jn. 11). 

 2. 1st Reading, Ezek. 37: 12-14 -- Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones. In this vision, the Lord brings the prophet to a valley filled with dry bones, representing the exiled Israelites. Ezekiel witnesses the Lord bringing the bones to life with the breath of life (vv. 1-11). "I will make you come out of your graves, my people, and bring you back to the land of Israel. You shall know that I am the Lord" (vv. 12-13). "I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life and I will settle you in your land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken; I will do it - oracle of the Lord" (v. 14). 

 3. Resp. Ps. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 -- the "De Proundis," "Out of the depths," a prayer used liturgically for the faithful departed. We cry out to the Lord for mercy and wait for his forgiveness. The Lord is merciful. 

 4. "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord keep account of my sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered" (vv. 1-4). A sinner's cry for mercy. "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits for his word... more than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is mercy and plenteous redemption" (vv. 5-8). 

 5. 2nd Reading, Rom. 8: 8-11 -- Christ became incarnate for our redemption. For those who live in Christ, there is no condemnation. We now live according to the spirit of life in Christ and we are concerned about things of the spirit. But those who live according to the flesh are concerned with earthly things (vv. 1-7). 

 6. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God .... and do not belong to Christ" (vv. 8-9). But if you live according to the spirit, the Spirit dwells in you. "If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (vv. 9-10). The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. The same Spirit dwells in you and "will give life to your mortal bodies" (v. 11). 

 7. Gospel, Jn. 11:1-45 -- The account of the Raising of Lazarus is the longest continuous narrative in John outside the Passion account. It leads directly to the decision of the Sanhedrin to kill Jesus. 

 8. The account is multi-layered, rich material for our personal reflection: the immense love of Jesus for Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary; the ways of discipleship shown by the active Martha and the contemplative Mary; the Apostles' lack of understanding; the path to belief for those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead; and the words of Jesus to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (v. 25); and Martha's confession of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God" (v. 27). 

 9. The miracle itself is simple but still awesome. Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days. Jesus cries out, "Lazarus, come out!" (v. 43). Lazarus comes out, his hand and foot tied with burial bands, and his face wrapped in cloth. So Jesus says, "Untie him and let him go" (vv. 43-44). 

 10. Prayer -- O Lord, our God, out of the depths we cry out to you for your love and forgiveness. Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your Spirit dwell in us, enliven our souls, preserve us from all physical and spiritual harm, and bring us to everlasting life. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Prayers, stay safe, God bless!