Friday of the 4th Week of Lent

• First Reading - Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22: The wicked conspire against the just man, resenting his righteousness and devotion to God. They challenge his integrity and relationship with God through suffering and seek his demise, blind to the divine wisdom and the ultimate vindication that awaits the faithful.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 34: The Lord listens to the righteous and combats evil, offering solace to the brokenhearted. He delivers from hardship, ensuring the safety of those who trust in His protection.
• Gospel - John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30: Jesus avoided traveling to Judea because the Jews wanted to kill him, but he went to the feast of Tabernacles in secret. Despite speaking openly, the authorities did not arrest him, leading some to question if he was the Christ, but when they tried to arrest him, they were unable to do so because his time had not yet come.

Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.

John 7:28-29

The readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent present several profound themes that resonate with both the season of Lent and the broader Christian journey. These themes include:

• The Contrast Between Righteousness and Wickedness: The first reading from Wisdom highlights the tension between the just man and those who conspire against him. It reflects on the nature of wickedness in its resentment towards goodness and the suffering of the righteous.
• Testing of Faith Through Suffering: Both readings touch upon the idea that true faith and integrity are often tested through suffering and adversity. The just man in the first reading faces trials because of his righteousness, while Jesus faces hostility and threats to his life.
• Divine Providence and Protection: Despite the plots against them, both the just man and Jesus are under God's protection. The readings suggest that even in the face of danger, God’s plan cannot be thwarted by human schemes.
• The Mystery of God’s Plan: The readings reveal that God's wisdom and plan are often beyond human understanding. The wicked cannot fathom the divine vindication awaiting the just, and Jesus’ actions and the timing of his fate are part of a divine schedule that confounds human expectations.
• The Role of Witness and Testimony: Jesus’ presence at the Feast of Tabernacles and his teachings challenge the people and the authorities, serving as a testimony to his identity and mission. This theme invites reflection on how Christians are called to bear witness to their faith in the world.
• The Identity of Jesus as the Christ: The Gospel reading particularly brings into focus questions about Jesus' identity. The people's speculation and the authorities' confusion about him highlight the mystery of Jesus as the Messiah and the varied responses to his mission.
• Trust in God Amidst Persecution: The readings collectively encourage a trust in God’s providence and timing, even when faced with persecution or misunderstanding. This trust is central to navigating the challenges of living out one's faith.

These themes for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent are particularly relevant during Lent, a time of reflection, penance, and preparation for Easter. They invite believers to ponder their own faithfulness, the trials they face for righteousness’ sake, and their understanding of and trust in God's overarching plan for salvation.

As we journey through Lent, a season of reflection and renewal, the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent offer profound insights into the nature of our walk with God, the trials we face, and the hope that sustains us. The stark contrast between righteousness and wickedness, the testing of faith through suffering, and the mysterious workings of God’s plan are themes that not only resonate with the Lenten spirit but also speak to the core of our Christian life.

The first reading for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent from the Book of Wisdom presents a vivid portrayal of the righteous man being tested by the wicked. This narrative is not merely an ancient story but a reflection of our own times. In our lives, we encounter moments when doing what is right, just, and true seems to invite opposition, misunderstanding, and even suffering. The wicked in the reading question the value of the just man’s integrity and challenge his relationship with God, seeking to test his faith through the most extreme measures.

This echoes the trials that many face today when standing up for their beliefs, virtues, or simply living out their faith in a world that often seems at odds with values of compassion, justice, and truth.

However, within this challenge lies a profound message of hope and trust in divine wisdom. The just man’s ordeal is a testament to the belief that suffering and righteousness are intertwined in a divine plan that we may not fully understand but are called to trust. It invites us to reflect on our own struggles and the ways in which we might feel tested or persecuted for our faith. Are we prepared to remain steadfast in our devotion, trusting in God’s vindication, even when it seems distant or obscured by our current trials?

Turning to the Gospel for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent, we find Jesus in a delicate dance with danger. He moves quietly, yet purposefully, toward his destiny, fully aware of the threats against him. His actions during the Feast of Tabernacles reveal a profound trust in the Father’s timing. This narrative invites us to consider our own understanding of God’s timing in our lives. How often do we rush ahead, fueled by our own impatience or fear, instead of moving in step with God’s plan? Jesus’ example teaches us that there is a time for public witness and a time for quiet preparation, a time to speak boldly and a time to listen attentively to the Father’s will.

The inability of the authorities to arrest Jesus before “his time” underscores the theme of divine protection and providence. This serves as a reminder that no human plot can thwart God’s plan. For us, this might mean that the challenges and persecutions we face, rather than being obstacles to our faith, can become opportunities for deeper trust and surrender to God’s will.

Moreover, the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent prompt us to ponder the identity of Jesus and our own identity as followers of Christ. Just as the crowd and authorities grapple with who Jesus is, we too are called to confront and affirm our understanding of Christ and his place in our lives. This Lenten season offers a special opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus, to renew our commitment to living out our faith in word and deed, and to bear witness to the hope and salvation he offers.

In sum, the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent challenge us to embrace our trials as pathways to deeper faith, to trust in the wisdom and timing of God’s plan, and to reaffirm our identity and mission as followers of Christ. As we continue our Lenten journey, may we find strength in the knowledge that we are never alone in our struggles and that our faith, tested and purified through trials, prepares us for the joy of Easter’s promise.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guide us through our trials with Your wisdom and strength. Help us to trust in Your timing, to remain steadfast in faith, and to witness Your love courageously. May we find comfort in Your protection and hope in Your promise of salvation. Amen.

Word on Fire: More Than Another Teacher

Bishop Robert Barron emphasizes the crucial theme of Jesus' divinity in the Gospel for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent. He critiques the trend of minimizing Jesus to merely a spiritual teacher, as seen in popular works like Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now." Barron argues that such views fall short of capturing the full essence of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. These texts, while acknowledging Jesus as a teacher, underscore his unique and divine identity and mission. The Gospel passage highlights Jesus' explicit declaration of his divine origin and mission, affirming his profound relationship with the Father.

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

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

The Mass readings for Friday April 4, 2025 are:
First Reading - Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22: The Plot Against the Righteous One
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 34: The Lord's Care for the Brokenhearted and Righteous
Gospel - John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30: Jesus' Secret Journey to the Feast of Tabernacles

What is significant about the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent highlight the contrast between righteousness and wickedness, the testing of faith through suffering, and the divine protection over those who trust in God. They offer profound insights into the nature of our spiritual journey and invite us to deepen our trust in God's plan.

How should we reflect on the first reading from Wisdom on Friday of the 4th Week of Lent?

On Friday of the 4th Week of Lent, the first reading from Wisdom calls us to reflect on the challenges of living a righteous life in a world that often values the opposite. It encourages us to consider how we respond to opposition and whether we trust in God’s vindication and wisdom, even when faced with suffering for our beliefs.

What does the Gospel reading teach us on Friday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The Gospel reading for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent teaches us about Jesus’ awareness and acceptance of God’s timing in the face of danger. It challenges us to consider how we align our actions with God’s will and to trust in God’s protection and plan for our lives, even when our path leads us through trials.

How can we apply the themes of Friday of the 4th Week of Lent to our daily lives?

We can apply the themes of Friday of the 4th Week of Lent by standing firm in our faith and convictions, even when faced with opposition or suffering. It encourages us to trust in God’s timing and plan, to be courageous in our witness of faith, and to remain hopeful in God’s ultimate vindication and justice.

Why is trust in God emphasized on Friday of the 4th Week of Lent?

Trust in God is emphasized on Friday of the 4th Week of Lent as a reminder that, amidst the trials and challenges of life, God’s plan is always at work. This trust reassures us that we are under divine protection and that our faithfulness, even in times of suffering, aligns us with God’s greater purpose and leads to eventual victory over adversity.

Can the story of Jesus in the Gospel for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent be seen as a model for handling persecution?

Yes, the story of Jesus in the Gospel for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent serves as a powerful model for handling persecution. It shows how Jesus navigated threats with wisdom and trust in God’s timing, teaching us to face opposition not with fear, but with faith in God’s protection and the conviction that our mission is guided by divine will.

What is the message of hope in the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent?

The message of hope in the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Lent is that suffering and trials, when faced with faith and trust in God, can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s wisdom and a stronger conviction in His justice. This hope is rooted in the assurance that God’s plan for us is one of ultimate vindication and salvation, encouraging us to persevere in righteousness.