Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent

• First Reading - Daniel 3:25, 34-43: This is a prayer offered by Azariah (also known as Abednego) while he and his companions, Shadrach and Meshach, were in the fiery furnace for refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's idol. Azariah pleads with God to have mercy on them and not to forsake his covenant with their ancestors, despite their sins and lack of offerings. He asks God to receive their humble contrition as a sacrifice and deliver them by his wonders, bringing glory to his name.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 25: I seek the Lord's guidance, trusting in His salvation. May His enduring love and mercy remember me, guiding me in righteousness and teaching me humility.
• Gospel - Matthew 18:21-35: Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, and Jesus tells him not seven times but seventy-seven times. He then tells a parable about a king who forgives a servant who owes him a huge amount, but the servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a smaller amount. Jesus warns that his heavenly Father will treat them similarly unless they forgive from their hearts.

Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Matthew 18:21

The readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent bring forth several interconnected themes that are central to the Lenten season and the broader Christian life. These themes include:

• Mercy and Forgiveness: Both readings emphasize the importance of mercy and forgiveness. Azariah's prayer seeks God's mercy for himself and his companions, despite their sins and the sins of their people. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the necessity of limitless forgiveness, illustrating it through the parable of the unforgiving servant.
• Faithfulness in Trials: Azariah's prayer in the fiery furnace exemplifies faithfulness and trust in God even in dire situations. This story encourages believers to remain faithful to God's commandments and to trust in His deliverance during trials and persecutions.
• Repentance and Humility: Azariah acknowledges the sins of the people and their failure to keep God's commandments, offering a humble heart and contrite spirit as their sacrifice. This theme is crucial during Lent, as it is a time for repentance, self-examination, and humility before God.
• Justice and Judgment: The Gospel parable highlights the principles of justice and judgment, demonstrating that those who show mercy will themselves receive mercy from God, while those who are unmerciful can expect judgment.
• The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Azariah's prayer is not just for himself but for his people, showing the power and importance of interceding on behalf of others, a practice deeply rooted in Christian tradition.
• Covenant Faithfulness: Azariah appeals to God's covenant with their ancestors, reminding us of the importance of God's promises and the expectation of faithfulness from His people.
• The Nature of True Sacrifice: The readings touch on the nature of sacrifice—Azariah offers a "sacrifice of praise" with a contrite heart, and the Gospel teaches that forgiveness is a form of sacrifice pleasing to God.

These themes encourage reflection on personal and communal practices of faith, especially in the realms of forgiveness, mercy, and trust in God's providential care, making them particularly pertinent for Lenten meditation and preparation for Easter.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent , Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, and Jesus responds that he should forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.

The parable that follows tells the story of a servant who owes his master a huge debt that he cannot repay. The master, out of compassion, forgives the debt entirely. However, the servant then goes and finds a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller debt, and demands immediate repayment. When the fellow servant cannot pay, the first servant has him thrown into prison. When the master hears about this, he is angry and punishes the first servant for not showing the same mercy that he himself had been shown.

This gospel tells of the incredible power of forgiveness. The first servant in the parable was shown incredible mercy and grace by his master, but he was unable to extend that same forgiveness to someone else. This reminds us that forgiveness is not always easy - it requires us to let go of our own hurt and anger, and to extend compassion and understanding to others, even when they have wronged us.

But Jesus is clear that forgiveness is not optional for those who follow him. We are called to forgive others, not just once or twice, but over and over again. This is not always easy, but it is essential if we want to live lives of love and compassion. As Jesus says in verse 35, "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Ultimately, the gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent reminds us of the incredible love and grace that God has shown us. Just as the master in the parable forgave his servant's debt, so God has forgiven our sins through Jesus Christ. As we receive this forgiveness, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others, showing the love and compassion of Christ to those around us.

Prayer

Dear God, please grant me the grace to forgive others as you have forgiven me, and to let go of any bitterness or anger in my heart. Help me to always remember the immeasurable debt that you have paid for me and to extend the same mercy to those who have wronged me. Amen.

Word on Fire: Suffer With

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on God's mercy in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent, emphasizing its roots in compassion and God’s tender mercy (hesed). Mercy, a core attribute of God's nature, is likened to a mother's undying love for her children, highlighting God's unending care for us. This divine mercy, especially evident in the forgiveness of sins, is described as the greatest grace, offering reconciliation and restoration of divine friendship. Barron uses G.K. Chesterton's conversion to Catholicism, motivated by the desire for forgiveness, to underscore the profound impact of God’s mercy on individuals seeking redemption.

What date is Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Tuesday March 10, 2026 are:
First Reading - Daniel 3:25, 34-43: Azariah's Prayer in the Fiery Furnace
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 25: Prayer for Guidance and Remembrance of God's Mercy
Gospel - Matthew 18:21-35: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

What is the significance of the first reading for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

The first reading for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent is significant because it features Azariah's prayer during a time of great trial. This prayer highlights themes of mercy, repentance, faithfulness, and the power of God to save. It serves as a reminder of the importance of turning to God with a humble and contrite heart, especially during the Lenten season.

How does the Gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent teach us about forgiveness?

The Gospel for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent teaches us about the necessity of forgiveness through the parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus emphasizes that forgiveness should be limitless, symbolized by the instruction to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times. This teaching underscores the expectation that as we have been forgiven much by God, we too must forgive others from the heart.

Can the story of Azariah and his companions in the fiery furnace on Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent teach us about dealing with our own trials?

Yes, the story of Azariah and his companions on Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent teaches us about remaining faithful and trusting in God during our own trials. Their unwavering faith in the face of certain death exemplifies how believers can rely on God's deliverance, regardless of the circumstances, and maintain a strong faith during challenging times.

What lesson can we learn from the parable told in the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent regarding how we treat others?

The parable in the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent teaches us the importance of showing mercy and forgiveness to others, reflecting the mercy that God has shown us. It warns against the hypocrisy of expecting forgiveness for ourselves without being willing to forgive others, highlighting the need for genuine compassion and forgiveness in our interactions.

How can we apply the message of the readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent to our lives today?

We can apply the message of the readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent by practicing forgiveness and mercy in our daily lives, being faithful and trusting in God during difficult times, and approaching God with a humble and repentant heart. These readings remind us to reflect on our own actions, to seek reconciliation with God and others, and to live out our faith through acts of love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Why is forgiveness emphasized during Lent, especially on Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent?

Forgiveness is emphasized during Lent, especially on Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent, as a core Christian value that is essential for spiritual growth and renewal. Lent is a time for repentance, reflection, and preparation for Easter, and forgiveness plays a crucial role in healing relationships with God and others. By focusing on forgiveness, we open our hearts to God's transformative grace and prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with a renewed spirit.