March 23 Mon Lenten Weekday6 [Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop] Is 65:17-21/Jn 4:43-54 (

24 Tue Lenten Weekday

Ez 47:1-9, 12/Jn 5:1-16 

25 Wed THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Solemnity

Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38 

26 Thu Lenten Weekday

Ex 32:7-14/Jn 5:31-47

27 Fri Lenten Weekday

Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 

28 Sat Lenten Weekday

Jer 11:18-20/Jn 7:40-53 

29 SUN FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 

In these days of social distancing we can still pray with the church by following the Mass readings, the feasts and prayers of the church day by day at home. Our churches may be  closed, but God is still close. 

“I rise before dawn and cry for your help. I hope in your word. My eyes watch through the night, I ponder your promise. You, O Lord, are close.”  (Psalm 119, 145ff)

We need help. We need the hope God’s word gives. That word can be found in the readings, feasts and prayers of the church. They can help us through the night that’s now. They can give us the wisdom and strength we need

Our gospel readings this week and for most of the remainder of lent are from John’s gospel. Jesus leaves Galilee for Jerusalem where he teaches and works some significant miracles before being arrested and crucified. 

Our Sunday gospels from St.John offer two important miracles Jesus performs in Jerusalem. : Jesus gives sight to the man born blind (last Sunday) and life to Lazarus who has died. (this coming Sunday)  

The world itself needs help to see right now. We’re also facing the mystery of death. So let’s reflect carefully on these two signs before us. We also need to reflect on the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. That’s the great book we need to read these days.

The Feast of the Annunciation, this Wednesday, is a feast of hope. “The Lord is with you,” the angel says to Mary, “Do not be afraid.” The angel announces to her that a Child will be born to her who will bring God’s kingdom to us. The Lord is with us, do not be afraid.

The readings for this week of lent and the feast of the Annunciation can be found at www.usccb.org .  I’ ll  offer some reflections at this site for each day.