Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent

• First Reading – Isaiah 49:8-15: The Lord promises to help and protect his people during a time of favor and salvation. The Lord assures his people that even if a mother were to forget her child, he will never forget them.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: God’s essence is kindness and forgiveness, offering patience and love universally. He upholds His promises, supports the burdened, and draws near to those seeking Him with genuine hearts.
• Gospel – John 5:17-30: Jesus claims that he and God the Father are always working, and that he has been given the authority to judge and give life just as the Father does. Those who hear his word and believe in the Father will have eternal life, while those who do not honor the Son will be condemned.

Lectionary Reference: 246

Upcoming dates: April 2, 2025, March 18, 2026, March 10, 2027, March 29, 2028, March 14, 2029, April 3, 2030, March 26, 2031, March 10, 2032, March 30, 2033

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.

John 5:21

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent highlight God’s care, justice, and promise of salvation. They encourage trust in God’s plan and remind us of His love for each of us.

• God’s unfailing love: In Isaiah, God assures His people that He will not forget them, even if others do. This shows His constant care and love for every person.
• God’s promise to restore: Isaiah speaks of bringing comfort to the afflicted and freedom to captives. This reminds us that God works to heal and restore His people.
• The unity of Father and Son: In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of His relationship with the Father. This reminds us that Jesus shares in the Father’s work of salvation and brings life to those who believe.
• God’s justice and mercy: Jesus describes the judgment that He will carry out, which will be fair and merciful. This teaches us to live in a way that honors God and seeks His grace.
• The call to listen: Both readings invite us to pay attention to God’s word and respond to it. Listening to God leads to life and helps us follow His path.
• Hope for the forgotten: Isaiah gives hope to those who feel abandoned or overlooked, reminding them that God is always with them. This teaches us to trust that God will never leave us alone.

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent reminds us to trust in God’s love and justice. These readings help us reflect on His care for us and encourage us to respond with faith and hope.

The readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent remind us of God’s love, unity, and promise of life. Isaiah speaks of God’s enduring compassion, while the Gospel reveals the unity of the Father and the Son in their mission to give life. These themes invite us to trust in God and live in faith.

God’s Unfailing Compassion

The first reading for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent speaks of God’s unchanging love and compassion for His people. Isaiah compares God’s care to that of a mother for her child but says that God’s love is even more enduring. This image reassures us that God will never forget or abandon His people.

In times of hardship or feeling distant from God, this message offers hope. It reminds us that no matter what we face, God’s love is steady and strong. He knows our struggles and is always ready to bring comfort and guidance.

We can reflect on how this truth shapes our relationship with God. Are there moments when we doubt His care? Isaiah’s words encourage us to trust in God’s compassion and to rely on Him in all circumstances.

Unity of the Father and the Son

In the Gospel for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent, Jesus speaks of His unity with the Father. He explains that He shares in the Father’s work of giving life and judging with fairness. This shows that Jesus is carrying out the mission of the Father, acting with the same care and authority.

This teaching helps us understand who Jesus is and why His mission matters. It reminds us that through Jesus, we come to know the Father. His actions reveal God’s love and justice, calling us to trust in Him and follow His example.

We can reflect on how this unity calls us to live. Are we united with God’s will in our daily choices? Jesus shows us the importance of listening to God and working with Him to bring love and justice into the world.

God Brings Life and Hope

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent focus on how God brings life and hope. In Isaiah, God promises to restore His people and guide them with care. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of giving life to those who listen to His word and believe in Him.

This theme encourages us to trust in God’s power to renew and restore. Whether we are facing spiritual dryness or personal struggles, God has the ability to bring us new life. He offers hope and strength when we turn to Him in faith.

We can reflect on how we are called to receive this life. Do we listen to God’s word and trust in His promises? Lent is a time to focus on renewing our relationship with God, letting Him lead us into a fuller and more faithful life.

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Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent encourages us to reflect on how we respond to God’s care and love. Through His compassion, unity, and life-giving power, God calls us to listen, trust, and grow closer to Him. Let us open our hearts to His presence and follow His ways.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your love and compassion. You never forget us, even when we feel lost. Help us to listen to Your word and trust in Your care. May we live in unity with You and share Your love with others. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does Isaiah’s message of God’s compassion comfort you during difficult times?
• What does the unity of the Father and the Son teach you about your faith in Jesus?
• In what areas of your life do you need God to bring new life and hope?
• How can you listen more closely to God’s word and follow His will this Lent?

Word on Fire: Father First

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent, he presents Jesus as a judge characterized by mercy and love. He suggests that the world’s suffering stems from a departure from grace and a selfish desire for autonomy and knowledge. This attitude ultimately leads to loss.

Jesus’ salvation is portrayed as an act of obedience to God, displacing his own desires in favor of the Father’s will, exemplifying perfect submission and the path to true freedom and salvation.

What date is Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The next date is Wednesday April 2, 2025.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Wednesday April 2, 2025 are:
First Reading – Isaiah 49:8-15: God’s Promise of Restoration and Comfort to His People
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145: Great is the Lord
Gospel – John 5:17-30: The Authority and Judgment of the Son

What does it mean that God will not forget His people?

In the first reading, God promises that He will always remember and care for His people, even when others forget them. This shows that God’s love is constant and that He never abandons us.

Why does Isaiah talk about comforting captives and the afflicted?

Isaiah’s message is about God’s promise to heal and restore those who are suffering. It reminds us that God is with us in hard times and will bring hope and freedom.

Why does Isaiah give hope to the forgotten?

Isaiah reassures those who feel abandoned that God will never forget them. This helps us remember that even when we feel alone, God is always with us.

What does Jesus mean when He talks about His unity with the Father?

In the Gospel, Jesus explains that He works with the Father to bring life and salvation. This shows that Jesus is fully united with the Father in carrying out His mission of love and mercy.

How does Jesus’ role as judge teach us about God’s justice?

Jesus describes a judgment that is fair and based on truth. It reminds us that God’s justice is balanced with mercy and that we are called to live in ways that please Him.

What does it mean to be restored by God?

To be restored by God means that He brings healing, strength, and hope where there is brokenness. The readings remind us to trust Him to renew our hearts and lives.

What does listening to God mean in these readings?

Both readings emphasize paying attention to God’s message and following His ways. Listening to God helps us grow closer to Him and walk the path of life He sets for us.

How do these readings show God’s love for His people?

Both readings highlight God’s care and commitment to His people. They remind us that God’s love is unchanging and that He is always working to bring us life and hope.

How can we apply the message of Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent to our lives?

We can trust in God’s love and listen to His word each day. These readings encourage us to stay faithful and find hope in His care for us.

What is the main message of Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The main message is that God loves us and invites us to trust in His care, listen to His word, and live in hope. These readings call us to grow in faith and rely on Him.