The 5th Sunday in Lent focuses on the theme of renewal, contemplating how God creates new life within us, urging us to release our old selves. It highlights God’s transformative power, turning our weaknesses and sufferings into strengths and salvation. This day reflects on God’s enduring covenant with us, despite our frequent unfaithfulness, and God’s ability to transform the seemingly negative aspects of our lives. It provides catechists, parents, youth ministers, and teachers with various ideas, games, and reflections aligned with the Sunday readings, aiding in understanding and embracing this message of spiritual rejuvenation and God’s unwavering commitment to us.
Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Lent. See how to determine the correct year.
5th Sunday in Lent Year A
5th Sunday in Lent Year B
5th Sunday in Lent Year C
Mass Readings for 5th Sunday in Lent Year A
See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Lent Year A readings here.
Mass Readings for 5th Sunday in Lent Year B
See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Lent Year B readings here.
- First Reading – Jeremiah 31:31-34: God will make a new covenant with his people, which will be different from the old one. This new covenant will be written on the hearts of the people, enabling them to know God intimately and to obey him from the heart.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51: A prayer for God’s mercy and forgiveness, asking Him to create a clean heart within us and renew our spirits. The psalmist also expresses his desire to teach others God’s ways and lead them to repentance.
- Second Reading – Hebrews 5:7-9: Jesus is the perfect high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins and was obedient to God’s will, even unto death. Through his sacrifice, Jesus has made it possible for us to approach God with confidence and to receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
- Gospel –John 12:20-33: Jesus predicts his death and the need for us to follow and serve him, even if it means giving up our own lives for his sake. Through our service to Jesus and by giving up our lives for his sake, we can inherit eternal life and share in his glory.
Mass Readings for 5th Sunday in Lent Year C
See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday in Lent Year C readings here.
- First Reading – Isaiah 43:16-21: God, who controls nature and armies, urges to forget the past and see His new works: paths in wilderness, rivers in deserts, providing for His chosen people, made to praise Him.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 126: When the Lord restored Zion, our joy was like a dream, filled with laughter and praise. Nations recognized His great deeds. We pray for continued restoration and joyful harvest.
- Second Reading – Philippians 3:8-14: Everything is considered a loss compared to knowing Christ. Righteousness comes from faith, not law. Striving to know Christ’s power and share His sufferings, we press on towards eternal life with Him.
- Gospel – John 8:1-11: At the temple, Jesus encountered a woman accused of adultery, brought by scribes and Pharisees seeking to trap him. He responded wisely, suggesting only a sinless person should cast the first stone. This led her accusers to depart, and Jesus, left alone with the woman, chose not to condemn her, advising her to abandon her sinful life.
More About Lectionary Cycles
Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent.
The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.
- 2024 is Year B
- 2025 is Year C
- 2026 is Year A
- 2027 is Year B
- 2028 is Year C
- 2029 is Year A
- 2030 is Year B
- 2031 is Year C
- … and so on
Leave a Reply