Readings for Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ez 37:21-28
The Prophet Ezekiel was probably not aware that this oracle would have great meaning beyond what even he foresaw. He predicts in this oracle, the return of the Hebrew people from their exile in Babylon and the restoration of Israel under a king from David’s line.
For us, looking back at his words we can see him (Ezekiel) predict the coming of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ and how he will be the one prince over the entire world. It will be the Jesus that will establish the covenant of peace and he will reveal God’s love.
Responsorial Psalm Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
The song from Jeremiah also recalls the Diaspora, the exile of the Hebrews. Jeremiah also prophesies their return and reunification of the people.
Gospel Jn 11:45-56
In the first section of this Gospel reading we can see the dilemma facing the Sanhedrin. The Messiah the God has sent is not the “Royal Messiah” coming to destroy the Roman domination but a humble servant. If the people of Israel follow him, Rome will wipe Israel from the map.
Caiaphas is introduced as the architect of the ultimate plot to kill Jesus. He unwittingly predicts that Jesus will die to save the whole nation, unwittingly because he does not understand that Jesus is God’s Son, only that he is a political threat.
This ends the period when Jesus was teaching openly in the temple area. He now leaves Jerusalem for a time. The plotting, however, continues as the scribes and Pharisees plan to seize him during the Passover.
Reflection:
The scripture journey through the Lenten season is coming to a close. Jesus, who started this mission in the desert, now returns to the desert, waiting for the time of fulfillment. For us, we see once more how the people have been turned from belief by leaders who think only of power, greed, and their own glorification. All of those self directed and self centered emotions that serve the evil one so well have set the stage for what must now follow.
As we wait for the tomorrow’s Palm Sunday celebration of the Lord’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, we can look back and see the roller coaster ride the Lord must have had. He made great progress and showed us great signs. We see clearly what he wants from us – he has asked that we look inside and see there the same ignoble feelings that have turned the people he loves against him. We recognize in ourselves the ability to follow those impulses and we hear the voice of the Lord tell us to turn away. All of this we have heard in the last five weeks.
Now, just when it looks like the Lord could win, the crowd is with him, they are cheering loud hosannas and laying palms before him, the plot in the background thickens. The Sanhedrin will use the very yoke they hoped to throw off to kill their own Savior. We see it coming. We know the story well and still we wonder, if we had been there, which side would we have been on?
We will now plunge into the remembrance of Holy Week. The lessons we heard during Lent are there, strengthened by our discipline. Now we give thanks for the great gift of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The image today is “The Evil council of Caiaphas” by James Tissot, 1886-96
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ez 37:21-28
The Prophet Ezekiel was probably not aware that this oracle would have great meaning beyond what even he foresaw. He predicts in this oracle, the return of the Hebrew people from their exile in Babylon and the restoration of Israel under a king from David’s line.
For us, looking back at his words we can see him (Ezekiel) predict the coming of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ and how he will be the one prince over the entire world. It will be the Jesus that will establish the covenant of peace and he will reveal God’s love.
Responsorial Psalm Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13
R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
The song from Jeremiah also recalls the Diaspora, the exile of the Hebrews. Jeremiah also prophesies their return and reunification of the people.
Gospel Jn 11:45-56
In the first section of this Gospel reading we can see the dilemma facing the Sanhedrin. The Messiah the God has sent is not the “Royal Messiah” coming to destroy the Roman domination but a humble servant. If the people of Israel follow him, Rome will wipe Israel from the map.
Caiaphas is introduced as the architect of the ultimate plot to kill Jesus. He unwittingly predicts that Jesus will die to save the whole nation, unwittingly because he does not understand that Jesus is God’s Son, only that he is a political threat.
This ends the period when Jesus was teaching openly in the temple area. He now leaves Jerusalem for a time. The plotting, however, continues as the scribes and Pharisees plan to seize him during the Passover.
Reflection:
The scripture journey through the Lenten season is coming to a close. Jesus, who started this mission in the desert, now returns to the desert, waiting for the time of fulfillment. For us, we see once more how the people have been turned from belief by leaders who think only of power, greed, and their own glorification. All of those self directed and self centered emotions that serve the evil one so well have set the stage for what must now follow.
As we wait for the tomorrow’s Palm Sunday celebration of the Lord’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, we can look back and see the roller coaster ride the Lord must have had. He made great progress and showed us great signs. We see clearly what he wants from us – he has asked that we look inside and see there the same ignoble feelings that have turned the people he loves against him. We recognize in ourselves the ability to follow those impulses and we hear the voice of the Lord tell us to turn away. All of this we have heard in the last five weeks.
Now, just when it looks like the Lord could win, the crowd is with him, they are cheering loud hosannas and laying palms before him, the plot in the background thickens. The Sanhedrin will use the very yoke they hoped to throw off to kill their own Savior. We see it coming. We know the story well and still we wonder, if we had been there, which side would we have been on?
We will now plunge into the remembrance of Holy Week. The lessons we heard during Lent are there, strengthened by our discipline. Now we give thanks for the great gift of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Pax
[1] After 04/07
[2] The image today is “The Evil council of Caiaphas” by James Tissot, 1886-96
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