March 9 - 15, 2008.

The Fifth Week of Lent. Psalter Week I.

Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle II.

Sunday 9: The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 129; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

The first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel recounts the Lord telling his people that he will give them his spirit and they will live. St Paul in our second reading which comes from his letter to the Romans continues this theme and says that the spirit of God has been given to the people and that it is life-giving for them. This is because their only interest is in spiritual things and things of an unspiritual nature. In the Gospel, we have the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This reminds us of the death of Jesus and of his resurrection but also provokes us to think about our own death in baptism and resurrection at the end of time. While Lazarus returned to life we know that he died again but that final death was so that he could live in life eternal.

Monday 10: Of the Fifth Week of Lent

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Psalm 22; John 8:1-11

Our readings today remind us that God himself defends those who are innocent, particularly when they cannot defend themselves. In the reading from Daniel we see that two judges have become infatuated with Susanna and have lied to save themselves, condemning her to death for something she did not do. She is only saved by asking God for help. He heard her cry and sent the boy Daniel to save her. In the Gospel we see another woman about to be stoned for committing adultery. She is saved by Jesus who forgives her her sins and tells her to sin no more. In both cases, those who had sinned were quick to condemn others while covering up their own wrong doings. We often find ourselves in the situation of the women in today’s texts we find ourselves in need of Jesus healing and compassion. During this time of preparation we are called on to acknowledge our own sins and to ask forgiveness for them while resolving to do better in the future.

Tuesday 11: Of the Fifth Week of Lent

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 101; John 8:21-30

Today’s reading from the Book of Numbers shows the Israelites turning against God even though he had just won their release from slavery in Egypt. In this episode the Jews turned against God in the wilderness and began worshipping false gods. Moses fashions a bronze serpent which saves those who look at it. In the Gospel, Jesus is speaking about himself and telling the people that only when they have killed him will they realise that he is the Son of God because only then will they see his glory. Like the bronze serpent on the pole, Christ on the cross will bring us new life. We are called to believe in Jesus though we have not seen him with our own eyes. The Jews in Egypt saw God’s power when he led them to freedom, yet they turned against him. We must not turn against him, but must put our total trust in him, serving his Gospel throughout our lives.

Wednesday 12: Of the Fifth Week of Lent

Daniel 3:14-20, 24-25, 28; Psalm – Daniel 3:52-56; John 8:31-42

In the Book of the Prophet Daniel there is recounted the story of three young men Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah who refused to abandon their religion for King Nebuchadnezzar. The king had them bound and thrown into a fiery furnace but the angel of God joined them there and they walked through the furnace unharmed. At the end of the reading, the king too praises the true God. The reading reminds us that when we are truly free in heart, nothing can trouble us or separate us from the love of God. The Psalm continues this theme. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his listeners that they will only be free if they listen to his word and live by it, because only then will they be free from the slavery to sin and so be his true disciples. God’s word is available to us but it is up to us to accept it and to let it take root in our lives 

Thursday 13: Of the Fifth Week of Lent

Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 104; John 8:51-59

In the reading from Genesis we see God making his covenant with Abraham and his descendents. This covenant was fulfilled in the person and life of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus is speaking of Abraham and telling his listeners that Abraham longed to see Christ’s day. He reveals himself to his listeners with the words I Am, which is the name God used for himself when he spoke with Moses. Jesus is telling them that the God of Moses, Abraham, and Isaac is the same person who is now speaking to them. He goes on to tell us that even though we may suffer and die in this world, the suffering and death has no power over us if we believe in him alone. That which was promised to Abraham has come to pass in the person of Jesus and it is a saving covenant for us who believe it.

Friday 14: Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary*

2Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Psalm 88; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

In the first reading from the Prophet Samuel, we see God telling David that his throne will stand secure for ever through one of his line. The Psalm repeats this promise. The passage from Romans assures us that we are the spiritual children of Abraham and that we must have faith and belief like him. The Gospel recounts the narrative of the vision Joseph had which told him to take Mary as his wife though she was already pregnant. In this way Jesus was born of the line of David and everything that God had promised to David and to Abraham was fulfilled. As Joseph trusted in the Lord, so we are called to that same trust and belief.

Saturday 15:  Solemnity of St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland*

Jeremiah 1:4-9; Psalm 116; Acts 13:46-49; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

All of our readings today are very appropriate for this celebration of St Patrick because they can all be seen as missionary readings which is what Patrick was. In the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah we see that Jeremiah was afraid to go and preach because he did not know what to say, but the Lord was with him and gave him the words and the eloquence to teach. In the second reading from the Acts of the Apostles we read of Paul and Barnabas speaking boldly to the people about Christ and telling them that they had to go to the pagans for God’s word is intended for all people. In the Gospel text from Luke we see Jesus sending out the seventy-two to preach his word and they come back rejoicing. Initially Patrick was a little hesitant about coming back to Ireland but God gave him the strength and the wisdom to do so and Patrick boldly proclaimed Christ in a pagan country and he can now rejoice that his preaching has had such an impact. However, today’s celebration is returning to the pagan ways which Patrick took us from as our people abandon his legacy as the years pass by. Today’s celebration is also a call to return to that faith which Patrick devoted his life to and to return to the Lord.

Memorials this Week:

The following two solemnities would normally be celebrated on March 19 and March 17 respectively. However, because of the importance and significance of Holy Week, they are both celebrated earlier this year.

March 16:  Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Protector of the Child Jesus. Little is known about Joseph except that he was of the line of David which was essential in order for Jesus to be legally of the house and line of David in fulfilment of the Scriptures. What is more important for us is the example which Joseph left us. He was a man of faith who played his role in God’s salvific plan for us; he was obedient to the will of God; he had a love for the Law and its fulfilment; he showed piety and fortitude in times of trial; he had a chaste love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and he exercised his paternal authority with due care. He is therefore a true example of Christian living and is the Protector of the Church and of the Carmelite Order. Joseph is also the patron of carpenters and manual workers.

March 15: Solemnity of St Patrick, Patron of Ireland. Patrick was born about the year 389 in Roman Britain, probably Wales. About the year 403 he was taken as a slave to Ireland by pirates who used to raid the Welsh coast, and he remained there for six years before escaping back to Britain. However, he could hear the call of the Irish people to return to them so he studied and became a priest and was consecrated bishop by St Germanus at Auxerre before returning to Ireland as a missionary and Bishop of Ireland. He travelled the country preaching the Gospel of Christ and baptising the people and established what was to become the primatial church of Ireland at Armagh in 444. He is said to have died at Saul in northeast Ireland about 461 and his remains are, according to tradition, buried at Downpatrick with St Brigid and St Columba (Colmcille).

© Irish Carmelites 2002-2008