4th Week of Lent 2025 - Wednesday - Growing opposition to the Truth of Christ

 In yesterday’s Gospel, we heard how following Jesus’ healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Him.

There has been a change in focus of our Lenten readings. We’ve gone from readings where the Lord teaches us about the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to stories of the mounting hostility toward Jesus.

He came to the attention of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem by curing on the Sabbath. For this, they began to persecute him. This means that they likely spoke against him publicly, warned the people against his teachings, and publicly discredited him as a religious authority.

But in today’s Gospel, things escalate. St. John tells us, “For this reason, the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God.”

According to the Jewish leaders, Jesus was now guilty of the greatest blasphemy imaginable: he claimed to be God. He wasn’t simply an irreverent rabbi who shirked the law about the Sabbath. Rather, from his own mouth, he claims to be one with God.

As we near Holy Week, our Lenten readings help us to understand what happened and why. They draw our attention to why he suffered and what he suffered. They shift our focus from the works that we do in our Lenten penances to the work that he has come to do: to save us from our sins. He is one with the Father who raises the dead and gives life. What to the hard-hearted Jewish leaders appeared as the greatest blasphemy is actually the most important truth because he’s telling the truth. He is the truth, and to prove it, he’s willing to suffer and die, so we can know the truth, and the truth can set us free—that we who hear his word and believe in Him might pass from death to life.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect deeply on Christ’s willingness to suffer rejection, persecution, and death out of love for us. It will certainly help us stand firm in the opposition we face in the Christian life. If you can’t get to mass every day, please at least read through the daily Gospel, to grow in appreciation, understanding, and humble gratitude for what Jesus undergoes for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in Christ, who willingly embraced suffering and death out of love for us, we now offer our prayers and petitions.

For the Church, that during this Lenten season, Christians everywhere may reflect deeply on Christ’s sacrifice, growing in humility and gratitude for His redeeming love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may recognize the dignity and sanctity of human life, promoting peace, justice, and respect among all peoples. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing persecution and hostility for their faith, that they may draw strength and courage from Christ’s own perseverance in suffering and rejection. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling to believe or who have hardened hearts, that they may be moved by the truth and love revealed in Christ’s willingness to suffer and die for humanity. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, suffering, and those experiencing difficulties, that Christ’s loving and compassionate presence may bring comfort, healing, and hope. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, especially our loved ones and members of our parish community, that they may experience the fullness of eternal life promised through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, in your mercy hear these prayers and help us grow ever closer to Christ through our Lenten journey. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

4th Week of Lent 2025 - Tuesday - Healing Waters of Christ

 

Yesterday, I reflected upon how Lent is a spiritual springtime—a time of new life, spiritual healing and spiritual growth. Today, the scripture readings continue these ideas of fruitfulness, healing, and new life.

In our first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, we encounter a magnificent vision: waters trickling forth from beneath the temple, gradually deepening into a vast river. This river brings renewal and abundant life wherever it flows, transforming even salty seas into fresh waters teeming with life. Trees lining the riverbanks flourish abundantly, their leaves serving as medicine and their fruits as nourishment.

The imagery from Ezekiel reminds us that wherever God’s grace flows, new life emerges, healing occurs, and everything it touches is renewed and restored. During this Lenten season, God’s grace can renew us, as we engage in Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

In the Gospel, Jesus brings healing and life to a man who had been suffering for nearly forty years.  The man is healed when he listens to and obeys the command of Jesus.

Just as Ezekiel’s river healed and revitalized everything it touched, Christ Himself is the living water, bringing renewal to the sick, the broken, and the despairing. Yet, just as importantly, today's Gospel challenges us to reflect upon our openness and willingness to be healed by Christ.

The man at the Pool of Bethesda represents all who have experienced long periods of spiritual stagnation or brokenness. We often remain spiritually "paralyzed" by sin, fear, resentment, or doubt. Like the man, we might find ourselves waiting passively, feeling helpless. Jesus asks the same question to each of us during Lent that he asked to the man: "Do you want to be well?" Do you want healing? Do you want restoration?

Many Christians fail to recognize their need for spiritual healing. They think. I’m fine. I’m a good person. But Lent is a time of honest self-examination, where we recognize that there are always parts of us that need healing. They way we treat strangers, they way we spend our free time, the way we react when we are stressed, frustrated, what we do when we are anxious about the future.

When we allow Christ to heal and cleanse us, something transformative occurs—not just within us, but in how we impact the world around us. Just as Ezekiel’s life-giving river spread outward, nourishing everything it touched, our healed and renewed lives extend God’s grace to others. A Christian who experiences genuine healing and renewal becomes a source of life and blessing to others.

Let us respond well to the Lord’s offer of healing this Lent, that we may become vibrant streams of Christ’s life-giving grace in the world, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Confident in God's desire to heal, renew, and restore, we now present our prayers and petitions with hopeful hearts.

For the Church, that during this Lenten season, she may continue to proclaim the healing and transformative power of Christ, inviting all people to experience renewal and new life, especially those who feel spiritually stagnant, broken, or discouraged. Let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders throughout the world, that they may be guided by God's wisdom and grace to foster justice, peace, and well-being, enabling communities to flourish. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who suffer physically, mentally, or emotionally, that they may experience the healing presence of Christ, who restores strength, hope, and wholeness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our deceased loved ones, that through God's merciful love, they may experience the fullness of life and eternal joy in His presence. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, pour forth your healing grace upon us. Hear these prayers we offer with confidence and trust, through Christ our Lord.