Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent

• First Reading – Exodus 32:7-14: God commanded Moses to descend from Mount Sinai to see the Israelites who had become corrupt and had created a golden calf as their god. Moses pleaded with God to have mercy on his people and to remember his promise to make them a great nation, causing God to relent from his planned punishment.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: Despite our ancestors exchanging God’s glory for an idol, forgetting His miracles in Egypt, Moses’ intercession turned God’s wrath away. We plead for the same kindness and remembrance now.
• Gospel – John 5:31-47: Jesus tells the Jews that his testimony alone is not enough to prove his authority, but there are other witnesses to his legitimacy, including John the Baptist, his works, the Scriptures, and God the Father. He also admonishes the Jews for not believing in him despite their adherence to Moses and the Scriptures.

You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.

John 5:39-40

The readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent focus on themes of God’s mercy, the danger of forgetting Him, and the testimony of truth. They encourage us to remain faithful and to seek the truth that leads to eternal life.

• God’s mercy and patience: In Exodus, God shows mercy when Moses intercedes for the people. This reminds us that God is patient and ready to forgive when we turn back to Him.
• The danger of idolatry: The Israelites turn away from God to worship a golden calf. This shows the danger of placing anything above God in our lives and calls us to examine our priorities.
• The power of intercession: Moses pleads for the people, and God listens to him. This teaches us that prayer for others is important and can bring about God’s mercy.
• Jesus as the truth: In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the testimony that confirms who He is. He reminds us to seek the truth in His words and to believe in Him as the source of life.
• The importance of faith: Jesus challenges the people for not believing in Him despite the evidence. This reminds us to trust in God’s works and promises rather than seeking only human approval.
• Listening to God’s word: Jesus points out that the people fail to listen to God’s word in their hearts. This shows the importance of truly hearing and following God’s teachings.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent calls us to reflect on our relationship with God and how we respond to His mercy and truth. These readings encourage us to turn away from distractions, believe in Jesus, and listen to His word with faith and trust.

The readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, our response to His word, and the importance of staying faithful. Moses’ prayer shows the power of interceding for others, while Jesus challenges us to believe in Him and trust the Scriptures that point to Him. These reflections help us see how God’s love calls us to grow in faith and trust.

The Power of Interceding for Others

In Exodus, Moses prays on behalf of the Israelites after they turn away from God. They build a golden calf and worship it, breaking their covenant with God. Moses intercedes, asking God to have mercy on them instead of punishing them. His prayer shows the importance of standing in the gap for others and asking God to help them.

This reflection reminds us that prayer can make a difference. When we pray for someone who is struggling or far from God, we are participating in God’s work of mercy. Just as Moses prayed for the Israelites, we can ask God to show kindness and forgiveness to those in need.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent calls us to think about how we pray for others. Are there people in your life who need prayer right now? Take time to lift them up to God, trusting in His mercy and love.

Knowing and Believing

In the Gospel, Jesus criticizes people for studying the Scriptures but failing to see Him as their fulfillment. They knew the words of Scripture well, but their hearts were closed to the truth about Jesus. This shows that it is not enough to know about God—we must also believe in Him and trust His words.

Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent reminds us to approach Scripture with an open heart. When we read God’s word, we should look for how it leads us to Jesus. He is the center of the message, and through Him, we find life and hope.

We can reflect on how we study and apply Scripture in our lives. Do we read it as a set of rules, or do we let it guide us to a deeper relationship with Jesus? Lent is a good time to focus on knowing Jesus better through God’s word.

God’s Mercy and Our Faithfulness

Both readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent show the importance of remaining faithful to God. The Israelites turned to idolatry when they lost patience waiting for Moses, forgetting the God who saved them. In the Gospel, Jesus points out the people’s unwillingness to trust Him even though His works and the Scriptures pointed to Him.

These stories show that faithfulness requires trust and focus. Distractions, impatience, and pride can pull us away from God, just as they did with the Israelites and the people in Jesus’ time. We are reminded to stay close to God and to trust Him even when it feels difficult.

This reflection invites us to examine our own faithfulness. Are there ways we let other things take God’s place in our lives? Lent is a time to turn back to Him, renew our faith, and trust in His care for us.

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Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent reminds us to turn back to God and remain faithful to Him. The readings encourage us to pray for others, trust in Jesus, and let the Scriptures guide us. May we open our hearts to God and follow His path with faith and love.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your mercy and love. Help us to remain faithful to You, even when we face challenges. Teach us to pray for others and trust in Your word. Guide us to live in Your truth and walk in Your ways. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does Moses’ example encourage you to pray for others in need of God’s mercy?
• What does Jesus’ message about the Scriptures teach you about your faith?
• Are there times when distractions or impatience pull you away from God? How can you turn back to Him?
• How can you make Scripture a stronger part of your daily life and relationship with Jesus?

Word on Fire: Greater than Moses

In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent, he focuses on Jesus’ unique authority, distinct from other rabbis and even Moses. Jesus’ teachings signal a profound shift, presenting Him as the long-awaited prophet greater than Moses.

Bishop Barron emphasizes that the world’s deep-rooted sin cannot be addressed by merely human efforts but necessitates the divine intervention of the Creator Himself. Jesus embodies this divine authority, aiming to heal, save, and restore the world from the devastation of sin.

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

The next date is Thursday April 3, 2025.

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

The Mass readings for Thursday April 3, 2025 are:
First Reading – Exodus 32:7-14: The Golden Calf and Moses’ Intercession
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 106: God’s Mercy and Faithfulness
Gospel – John 5:31-47: Witnesses to Jesus’ Authority 

Why did the Israelites worship the golden calf in the first reading for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The Israelites lost faith and turned to an idol when Moses was away. This shows how easily people can forget God and place their trust in other things when they feel uncertain or impatient.

What does Moses’ prayer for the people teach us?

Moses prayed for God to forgive the people instead of punishing them. This shows the power of interceding for others and reminds us to pray for those who need God’s mercy.

How does the first reading show God’s patience?

God is angry with the Israelites, but He chooses to forgive them after Moses prays. This reminds us that God is patient and ready to forgive when we turn back to Him.

How can we avoid idolatry in our lives?

We can avoid idolatry by putting God first in our hearts and not letting other things take His place. This means trusting Him instead of relying on possessions, power, or other distractions.

Why does Jesus talk about witnesses in the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent?

Jesus explains that His works and the testimony of others confirm who He is. This shows that faith in Him is supported by evidence, but we still need to trust and believe.

What does it mean to listen to God’s word?

Jesus says that many people fail to hear God’s word in their hearts. Listening means not just hearing but following God’s teachings in our daily lives.

Why does Jesus criticize seeking approval from others?

Jesus challenges people who care more about human praise than about God’s truth. This teaches us to focus on pleasing God rather than worrying about what others think.

What does Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent teach about faith?

The readings show that faith means trusting in God’s works and promises, even when we face challenges or doubts. Faith calls us to rely on Him instead of looking for other answers.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

To believe in Jesus means to accept His words, trust His promises, and follow Him. The Gospel encourages us to find life and truth in Him.

How can the readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Lent help us in our daily lives?

The readings remind us to stay faithful, pray for others, and listen to God’s word. They call us to trust in God’s mercy and live with faith and love.