Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538-1606)

Readings of the day: RB 43:13-19

Mass: Jr 20:10-13; Resp Ps 18; Jn 10:31-42

 

Prophet Jeremiah, Michelangelo

The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.

(Jr 20:11)

In the New American Bible, today’s first reading is in a section entitled: ‘Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis.’ On the prophet’s lips are the words, ‘O Lord of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart’ (Jr 20:12). How are you interiorly this day? What is the state of your mind and heart? With Jeremiah, we ‘Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord’ (Jr 20:13), remembering the words of the psalmist:

IN MY DISTRESS I CALLED UPON THE LORD, AND HE HEARD MY VOICE.

I love you, O Lord, my strength,

O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

My God, my rock of refuge,

my shield, the horn of salvation, my stronghold!

Praised be the Lord, I exclaim,

and I am safe from my enemies.

The breakers of death surged about me,

the destroying floods overwhelmed me;

The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,

the snares of death overtook me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord

and cried out to my God;

From his temple he heard my voice,

my cry to him reached his ears.

(Resp Ps 18)

THEN THEY TRIED TO ARREST JESUS;

BUT HE ESCAPED FROM THEIR POWER.

(Jn 10:39)