Friday of the 5th Week of Lent

• First Reading – Jeremiah 20:10-13: I am surrounded by enemies who are waiting for an opportunity to denounce me. However, I trust in the Lord and believe that my persecutors will fail, and that the Lord will bring justice and rescue me from their hands.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 18: In my deepest distress, I sought the Lord’s help, and He, my fortress and deliverer, answered me. Surrounded by peril, my cries reached Him, and I was saved from my foes and the shadows of death.
• Gospel – John 10:31-42: An encounter between Jesus and Jewish leaders who accused him of blasphemy. Jesus defended himself by referring to scripture and the good works he had performed, and ultimately escaped their grasp.

Lectionary Reference: 255

Upcoming dates: April 11, 2025, March 26, 2026, April 7, 2028, March 23, 2029, April 12, 2030, April 4, 2031, April 8, 2033

I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?

John 10:32

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent invites us to reflect on themes of trust in God during persecution, the mission of Jesus, and the call to believe. The readings show how God is with his people in times of trial and how Jesus reveals his unity with the Father.

• Trust in God’s Protection: Jeremiah speaks of facing threats from his enemies but places his trust in God. This reminds us that God is our protector, even when we face challenges or opposition.
• God as Our Defender: Jeremiah describes how God defends those who trust in him. This theme encourages us to rely on God’s justice when we feel surrounded by difficulties.
• Faith in the Mission of Jesus: In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of his works as proof of his connection to the Father. His mission calls us to believe in him and see the Father through his words and actions.
• Perseverance in Faith During Trials: Both Jeremiah and Jesus face opposition from those who do not believe. This shows us the importance of staying faithful to God, even when others do not understand or accept our faith.
• God’s Faithfulness to His People: Jeremiah praises God for delivering the needy from harm. This reminds us that God is always faithful and cares for those who seek him.
• Jesus’ Unity with the Father: Jesus explains that he and the Father are one. This deep connection shows us that faith in Jesus is faith in God’s plan for salvation.
• Believing in the Works of Jesus: Jesus invites the people to believe in him through the works he has done. This theme encourages us to look at how Jesus acts in our lives and recognize his presence.

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent encourages us to trust God in times of trouble and to believe in Jesus’ mission. These themes remind us to rely on God’s faithfulness and to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult.

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent calls us to reflect on God’s faithfulness, the unity of Jesus with the Father, and the courage to remain steadfast in faith. The readings show God’s care for those who trust him, Jesus’ role in God’s plan, and the importance of persevering during trials. These themes invite us to trust God more deeply and to live our faith with confidence.

God’s Faithfulness to the Needy

In the first reading for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent, Jeremiah praises God for delivering the needy from harm. Despite the threats he faces, Jeremiah trusts that God will protect him and bring justice. His praise reminds us that God always cares for those who seek him.

When we feel surrounded by challenges or fear, we can turn to God, just as Jeremiah did. God does not ignore the cries of those in need, but he works to uphold and strengthen them. Jeremiah’s trust shows us how to rely on God’s justice, even when our situation feels overwhelming.

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent invites us to reflect on God’s faithfulness and care. Just as God delivered Jeremiah, he walks with us through our struggles. Trusting in his justice helps us to persevere with courage and hope.

Jesus and the Father Are One

In the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent, Jesus speaks about his unity with the Father. He explains that his works show this connection, and those who believe in him also believe in the Father. This unity reveals the depth of Jesus’ mission as part of God’s plan for salvation.

When we place our faith in Jesus, we are trusting in God’s purpose for us. Jesus’ words remind us that he came to lead us back to the Father. Believing in him and following his teachings bring us into a closer relationship with God.

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent encourages us to reflect on how Jesus’ unity with the Father strengthens our faith. By trusting in Jesus, we share in the love and care that God has for all his people. This trust deepens our connection to God and his plan for our lives.

Staying Faithful Through Opposition

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent show the challenges of staying faithful when faced with opposition. Jeremiah faces threats from those who reject his message, while Jesus encounters accusations from people who do not believe in him. Both remain faithful to God and continue their mission.

Faith does not always bring easy acceptance. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we may face misunderstanding or rejection for what we believe. Their examples remind us to persevere and trust in God, even when others challenge or oppose us.

Friday of the 5th Week of Lent invites us to consider how we stay faithful during trials. By relying on God’s strength and focusing on his purpose, we can continue to live out our faith with courage. Challenges become opportunities to grow closer to God and show our trust in him.

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The reflections for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent remind us that God is always with us, even in challenging times. By trusting in his care, believing in Jesus, and staying faithful through difficulties, we grow closer to God and share in his mission. May we find strength in these readings as we strive to follow God each day.

Prayer

Lord, you are our protector and guide. Help us to trust in your care and to believe in Jesus’ mission. Give us courage to stay faithful during challenges and to rely on your strength. May we live with confidence in your love and share your peace with others. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does Jeremiah’s trust in God encourage you to rely on him during difficult times?
• What does Jesus’ unity with the Father teach you about faith in God’s plan?
• When have you faced opposition for your faith, and how did you respond?
• How can you grow in trusting God’s care and staying faithful through challenges?

Word on Fire: One in the Other

In this reflection for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent, Bishop Robert Barron illuminates the concept of “coinherence,” or mutual indwelling, as central to Christianity, exemplified in Jesus’ declaration, “The Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Highlighting the interconnectedness depicted in the Book of Kells, Bishop Barron connects this idea to our identification through relationships and the fundamental interconnectedness of all reality. He describes God as a family of coinherent relations, emphasizing that the distinct yet mutually implicated Father and Son invite us into their divine relationship. This invitation extends to participating in the love between the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit.

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

The next date is Friday April 11, 2025.

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

The Mass readings for Friday April 11, 2025 are:
First Reading – Jeremiah 20:10-13: Trusting in God’s Deliverance
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 18: Gratitude for God’s Rescue in Times of Distress
Gospel – John 10:31-42: Jesus Defends Himself Against Accusations of Blasphemy

Why does Jeremiah speak about fear and threats in the first reading for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent?

Jeremiah describes how his enemies plot against him because he speaks God’s truth. Despite the danger, he places his trust in God’s protection.

How does Jeremiah’s trust in God apply to our lives?

Jeremiah shows that we can rely on God even when we face opposition or fear. This reminds us to turn to God for strength and guidance in difficult times.

Why does Jeremiah praise God in the first reading for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent?

Jeremiah praises God for delivering the needy and protecting them from harm. His words remind us to trust in God’s justice and care.

Why do the people in the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent accuse Jesus of wrongdoing?

The people accuse Jesus because they do not believe his claims about his connection to the Father. They struggle to understand his words and reject the truth he shares.

What does Jesus mean when he speaks about his works in the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent?

Jesus points to the works he has done as evidence of his mission and unity with the Father. These works show that he comes from God and is carrying out God’s plan.

How can the readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent help us during hard times?

They remind us that God is with us in our struggles, just as he was with Jeremiah and Jesus. Trusting in God’s care helps us stay strong in our faith.

What does the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent teach about Jesus’ relationship with the Father?

Jesus explains that he and the Father are one, showing their perfect unity. This teaches us that to believe in Jesus is to trust in God’s plan for our salvation.

How can we believe in Jesus’ works today?

We can see Jesus’ presence in the love and grace we experience in our lives. By reflecting on how he works through others and in our hearts, we grow in faith.

What does the Gospel for Friday of the 5th Week of Lent call us to do?

The Gospel calls us to believe in Jesus and trust in his mission. By following his words and recognizing his works, we grow closer to him and to the Father.

How do these readings encourage perseverance in faith?

Jeremiah and Jesus both faced rejection and opposition but stayed faithful to God. Their examples inspire us to remain steadfast in our own faith, even during challenges.