Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent

• First Reading - Genesis 17:3-9: God appears to Abram and makes a covenant with him, promising to greatly increase his descendants and establish an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. In exchange, God asks Abram and his descendants to be faithful and keep the covenant.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 105: Seek strength from the Lord and remember His deeds. He, the God of Abraham and Jacob, upholds justice globally. His covenant, promised to generations, remains a testament to His enduring faithfulness.
• Gospel - John 8:51-59: Jesus claimed adherence to His teachings prevents death, prompting disbelief among the Jews who cited the mortality of Abraham and prophets. Jesus emphasized His unique knowledge of God and His precedence over Abraham, using the divine name "I AM" for Himself, which led to an attempt on His life, from which He escaped.

The readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent offer rich themes for reflection and discussion. Here are some key themes:

• Covenant Relationship: The first reading from Genesis highlights the covenant relationship between God and Abram (later Abraham), emphasizing faithfulness and God's promises to Abram and his descendants. This theme invites us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and how faithfulness to God's covenant shapes our identity and destiny.
• Divine Promise and Faithfulness: God's promises to Abram about greatly increasing his descendants and establishing an everlasting covenant underscore the themes of divine promise and faithfulness. It encourages us to trust in God's promises and remain faithful even when faced with challenges or waiting for those promises to be fulfilled.
• Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Covenant: The Gospel reading connects to the theme of covenant by presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. Jesus' claim to preexistence before Abraham and His use of "I AM" tie back to God's covenant with Abraham, showing Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God's faithfulness and promise.
• Eternal Life through Jesus: Jesus' statement that adherence to His teachings prevents death introduces the theme of eternal life. This theme invites us to reflect on the meaning of true life in Christ, beyond physical death, and how living according to Jesus' teachings offers us a share in this eternal life.
• Identity and Revelation of Jesus: The Gospel also explores the identity of Jesus and His unique relationship with God. Jesus' claim to know God and His use of the divine name "I AM" reveal His divine identity and authority, challenging us to recognize and respond to Jesus as Lord.
• Faith and Understanding: The skepticism and disbelief of the Jews in response to Jesus' claims highlight the theme of faith and understanding. This contrast between human expectations and divine revelation invites us to open our hearts and minds to the truth of who Jesus is, even when it challenges our preconceptions.
• Conflict and Belief: The conflict between Jesus and the Jews underscores the challenge of accepting Jesus' radical claims and teachings. It prompts us to consider our own responses to Jesus' identity and message, especially in the face of misunderstanding or opposition.

These themes for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent offer a rich tapestry for reflection, discussion, and prayer as we journey through Lent, inviting us to deepen our understanding of God's covenant, the identity of Jesus, and the call to live in faith and fidelity.

Reflecting on the readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent helps us to deepen our understanding of our relationship with God and the importance of faith in our lives.

In the reading from Genesis, we are reminded of the covenant that God made with Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations. This covenant was a sign of God's love and commitment to His people. We, too, are called to enter into a covenant relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ. By following God's will and living a life of love, we become part of God's family and are heirs to His promises.

The reading from John speaks about the importance of faith and belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus teaches that those who keep His word will never see death, and this requires faith in His teachings and trust in His promises. We are called to believe in Jesus and His teachings, to follow His example, and to strive for eternal life with Him.

We are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, sacraments, and living a life of faith. We are called to trust in God's promises and to believe in Jesus as our Savior. Just as Abraham trusted in God's promises, we too are called to put our faith in God and to live a life of obedience and love.

These readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent remind us of the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's promises. By following Jesus' teachings and example, we can deepen our relationship with God and live a life of love, hope, and faith. May we strive to live out our Catholic faith every day and trust in God's promises as we journey towards eternal life.

Prayer

God our Father, help us to deepen our faith in You, to trust in Your promises, and to live a life of love, obedience, and hope. May we follow Jesus' teachings and example, and may His words guide us towards eternal life with You. Amen.

Word on Fire: With or Against Jesus

In today's Gospel reflection for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent, Bishop Robert Barron emphasizes Jesus's divine nature, highlighted by His declaration "before Abraham came to be, I AM." Barron critiques the tendency to see Jesus merely as an inspiring spiritual teacher, arguing that Jesus is much more, as evidenced by His urging of faith in Himself alongside faith in God. This unique claim, unparalleled by other religious founders, forces a decisive choice about Jesus's identity. Understanding this paradox is crucial to grasping the essence of Christian faith, illustrating the profound impact of recognizing Jesus's divinity on our relationship with Him.

What date is Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Thursday April 10, 2025 are:
First Reading - Genesis 17:3-9: God's Covenant with Abram
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 105: God's Faithfulness to His People
Gospel - John 8:51-59: Jesus Claims to be God 

What is the significance of the first reading for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

The first reading for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent is significant because it recounts God's covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and establishing an everlasting covenant. This passage highlights the themes of faithfulness and divine promise, which are central to understanding our relationship with God and the fulfillment of God's plans through history.

How does the Gospel for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent relate to the first reading?

The Gospel for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent relates to the first reading by demonstrating Jesus as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Jesus' dialogue with the Jews and His claim to preexistence before Abraham, using the divine name "I AM," directly connects to the covenant promises made to Abram, emphasizing Jesus' divine identity and role in salvation history.

What does Jesus mean by saying "if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death" on Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

On Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent, when Jesus says "if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death," He is speaking about the spiritual and eternal life that comes from following Him. This statement emphasizes the transformative power of adhering to Jesus' teachings, offering believers a share in eternal life that transcends physical death.

Why do the Jews react strongly to Jesus' claims in the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

The Jews react strongly to Jesus' claims in the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent because His statements challenge their understanding of God and religious authority. Jesus' claim to know God personally and His use of the divine name "I AM" were seen as blasphemous, leading to a conflict over His identity and authority.

How can we apply the lessons from Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent to our daily lives?

We can apply the lessons from Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent to our daily lives by embracing faithfulness to God's covenant, much like Abram did. This involves trusting in God's promises, living according to Jesus' teachings, and recognizing Jesus' divine identity and role in our salvation. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and the promise of eternal life.

What is the importance of Jesus using the name "I AM" in the Gospel for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent?

The importance of Jesus using the name "I AM" in the Gospel for Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent lies in its connection to God's self-revelation to Moses in the Old Testament. This divine name signifies Jesus' eternal existence and unity with God, affirming His divine nature and authority. It challenges us to recognize and accept Jesus' unique role in God's plan of salvation.