Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

Today’s first reading and Gospel passage start with blunt statements.

The first reading from Jeremiah begins: “Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side!’” And the Gospel starts, “The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.”

These are difficult words to hear. But they serve as a reminder that our work in social ministry can be blunt and difficult. Challenges come from every direction, both from within and outside of the Church. Many social ministers have had interior crises like that of Jeremiah: “What am I doing? Am I making any sort of difference?” Why do I continually fight the same battle?” Yet Jeremiah also offers us comfort and hope: “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail.”

Jesus is our champion. He, too, was persecuted and challenged, as we see in today’s Gospel passage. It foreshadows His Passion, which is soon to come during Holy Week. Many had hardened their hearts and were unable to hear the words that Jesus was trying to explain: He is the Son of God sent from the Father. They cannot see that He is both human and divine, that He is in fact God.

As we finish up these final days of the Lenten season, let us open our minds and hearts to find Jesus in our lives. Although we may be challenged in our faith and in our ministries, God is always with us, and He hears our cries. Let us unite our suffering to Jesus’ and pray that we are fully present during the Triduum.

Catherine Orr is the Program Coordinator for the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and also serves as Pastoral Associate at Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon, WI. She is a proud member of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.

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