We have reached the half-way point of Lent. For the first
half of Lent, our Scripture readings focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Now, as we get closer and closer to Holy Week: to Palm
Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, our Scripture readings shift focus. No
longer are the daily scriptures reminding us of the importance of prayer and
fasting. By now, prayer and fasting are our dear friends. We know them well. And
we understand their value.
But now, half-way through Lent, our scriptures begin to
focus more and more on Jesus, specifically the hostility and opposition he
faces leading up to his arrest and crucifixion. Our readings help us to
understand, “why?”. Why did they hate him so much that they lied about him,
mocked him, conspired against him, arrested him, whipped him, crucified and
killed him?
This morning, our Gospel reading contains a very clear answer
to these questions: “For this reason they 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.” They hated him, they tried all the more to kill him
because he claimed to be God.
That is very important for us to understand. Jesus was not
simply a nice man who told people to be kind. He was not merely a wise teacher
with good advice. He was not just a miracle worker or even a prophet. Jesus
claimed something much greater. He claimed equality with the Father. His work,
his ministry, his preaching—was the work and words of God.
Because Jesus is God, we cannot be indifferent to Him. We
cannot treat Him as unimportant. We cannot just fit Him in when it is
convenient. We must listen to Him, trust Him, obey Him, and love Him.
These readings also help us to understand that all that
Jesus suffers during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, he does so because
He loves us, God loves us. And he endures all of these things to save us from
our sins, to save us from being people who turn their hearts away from God,
like those who sought to murder him because they didn’t like his words.
So in these remaining weeks of Lent, let us keep our eyes
fixed on Jesus. Praying and fasting, yes, but also growing in faith, gratitude,
and love for Him. And may our hearts not harden against His word, but open more
fully to the God who suffers to save us, for the glory of God and the salvation
of souls.
As we continue our Lenten journey and fix our eyes more
closely on Jesus, true God and true man, let us bring our prayers before our
heavenly Father.
For the Pope Leo, and all bishops, priests, and deacons,
that they may preach Christ faithfully and lead God’s people more deeply into
the mysteries of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our
prayer.
For a quick and peaceful resolution to all violent conflict
in the world, and that the wisdom of God may govern all of our national and
international affairs. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whose hearts have grown cold, distracted, or
indifferent toward the Lord, that God may soften their hearts and draw them
back to faith, repentance, and love. Let
us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our parish and school community, that in these remaining
weeks of Lent we may keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, listen to His word, and grow
in gratitude for all He endured to save us from our sins. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our
prayer.
For the sick, the suffering, and all who carry the weight of
the cross in their lives, that they may find comfort in Christ, who suffered
out of love for us and who never abandons His people. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our
prayer.
For the faithful departed, that they may come to share
forever in the glory of the risen Christ.
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, hear the prayers we place before you. Keep
our hearts fixed on your Son, that walking with Him through His Passion, we may
come to share in the joy of His Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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