St Margaret Roman Catholic Church

5th Week of Lent

Blessed are you, O Lord . . . , praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. (Daniel 3:52)

It makes sense to cry out to God for help when we’re struggling. But the Scriptures also show us people praising God when they’re in dire straits. In today’s first reading, for instance, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have been thrown into a white-hot furnace because they refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gods. But instead of panicking and crying out in fear, they walk about in the flames, “singing to God and blessing the Lord” (Daniel 3:24).

Two things happen as the three men in the fiery furnace praise God. First, they are supernaturally protected—the flames don’t harm them. Second, they realize that they are not alone: there is a fourth man in the furnace with them, who “looks like a son of God” (Daniel 3:92).

We all face challenges in life; we all feel at times that we are in a white-hot furnace of our own. Our first reaction is usually to cry out to God to save us. There’s nothing wrong with that—God wants us to call on him in our need. But what if we decided to take a deep breath and offer him praise as well?

Like the “fourth man” appearing in the furnace, the act of praising God in some mysterious way makes him more present to us. We know that he might not always protect us from harm in miraculous ways as he did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We know that he might not take away the challenges we face. But we become more aware that he is with us, and we become more confident that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Something else happens as we step out in faith and decide to praise God: we go from focusing on our problems to focusing on him. That stirs up our hope and confidence in God. We understand in a deeper way that we have a great and mighty God who will love us, not just in our present troubles, but into eternity.

What’s the number one challenge you are facing right now? Today, visualize placing it on an altar and lifting your arms and hands in worship. Then use today’s responsorial psalm to praise the Lord. Even if your situation doesn’t change, your heart will.

“Thank you, Lord, for your saving power! I want to praise you always!”

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
John 8:31-42

5th Week of Lent

When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am. (John 8:28)

When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, the people who gazed on it saw two things. First, they got a graphic look at their own sins. Grumbling, blaming, and complaining are as deadly as serpents. They slither their way between people and interfere with God’s ability to take care of them. Second, they got a look at God’s mercy. Whoever looked at the bronze serpent was instantly healed.

In the same way, when we gaze at Jesus lifted up on the cross, we see ourselves and Jesus more clearly.

Looking at the cross, we can see ourselves as capable of wounding people by our indifference, our selfishness, and our pride. We see that we can be like Pilate as we wash our hands of responsibility for the needy. We are the soldiers mistreating the people we don’t respect. We are the mob, easily swayed by the fad or feeling of the moment, rejecting anyone who seems out of step. We are the would-be followers running away at the first sign of trouble. We are the faithful friends, helpless and disconsolate, immobilized by fear. We see how our own actions have caused the pain that Jesus is experiencing as he hangs on the cross, suffering for our sins.

But that’s not all. Gazing at the cross, we also see a God who became man because he loves us. We see Jesus looking at each of us with great tenderness and compassion. We hear him promising forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who turns to him in repentance. We see a Messiah who loves us unconditionally, who loves us enough to endure and conquer not only our sins but death itself.

Spend some time in front of a crucifix today, either at home or in church. Don’t worry about whether you have anything to say to Jesus. Just kneel there, and gaze at him in wonder and gratitude. Have the courage to look at whatever he reveals about yourself, but don’t stop there. Keep on gazing until you feel his love driving out your sin and bringing you into the presence of Jesus, your brother and Redeemer.

“Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to be lifted up on the cross.”

Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21

5th Week of Lent

I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me. (John 8:18)

When you’re looking for a job, references are extremely important. They can mean the difference between employment and unemployment, or between a great job and a mediocre job. That’s because employers want some evidence that you are a person of integrity and that you will perform well. They want to believe you, your résumé, and the face that you present to them. But they also want a little more certainty—and having someone else back you up is a very helpful way of ensuring that.

In his discussions with the religious leaders of Israel, Jesus was doing something much more serious than applying for a job. He was claiming to be “the light of the world” (John 8:12). He had already told them that God was his Father, but they didn’t believe him (5:18). To them he was a fraud and a threat to their authority. So they tried to trap him by demanding some proof of his claims.

But Jesus was secure and confident, both in who he was and what he had been sent to do. At his baptism and his transfiguration, his Father had already testified on his behalf by calling him his “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). So there were his two “references”—himself and God. For Jesus, that was all the evidence that mattered.

We can find it difficult to feel confident at times, especially when we face some kind of opposition. We may question the decisions we make as we try to raise our children in a world that doesn’t support our values. When we encounter people who don’t believe in God or who challenge our faith, we may start to doubt ourselves.

When the world outside doesn’t affirm you, it’s clear that your confidence has to come from inside. You need to remember who you are, just as Jesus did. And this is who you are: a child of God. Just as he did with Jesus at his baptism, God testifies on your behalf. He tells you, “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. You have great dignity in my eyes.” This is the best “job reference” you could ever hope to have!

So the next time you are doubting yourself, look in the mirror—and remember who you are.

“Father, may I always remember that I am your beloved child.”

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
Psalm 23:1-6

5th Sunday of Lent

Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more. (John 8:11)

Wouldn’t you love to know what happened to this woman after she left Jesus that unforgettable day? John doesn’t tell us. In fact, we almost never learn what happened to people in the Gospels after Jesus healed or forgave them. But these were real people who probably lived many years after their encounter with him. So let’s try to imagine what happened next for this woman.

Jesus’ refusal to condemn her must have affected her to the core. His act of mercy saved her life, not just physically, but spiritually as well. Maybe she was so grateful to Jesus that she became one of his followers. Maybe she went back to her husband to be reconciled. One thing we can’t imagine is that she went back to living the way she had in the past.

This is what happens when we have an encounter with God’s mercy. Our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us leads us to follow him more closely. It softens our heart and helps us be more merciful toward other people. And we receive the grace that strengthens us against further temptation to sin.

Do you want to have this kind of encounter? It’s yours for the asking! The words Jesus spoke to this woman are essentially the same words the priest says to us in Confession: “I absolve you from your sins.” Even if you feel as if other people are condemning you, even if you are condemning yourself, Jesus doesn’t condemn you. He forgives you. He saves you.

Over these next two weeks, take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered at your parish or one nearby to go to Confession. Let Jesus’ mercy set you free. Then spend the remaining days leading up to Easter thanking him for loving you so much. Let your gratitude move you to follow your Savior even more closely—and to be just as merciful to the people around you as he is to you.

“Jesus, thank you for your unending mercy!”

Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126:1-6
Philippians 3:8-14