MARCH 27 Mon Lenten Weekday Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Jn 8:1-11 

28 Tue Lenten Weekday Nm 21:4-9/Jn 8:21-30 

29 Wed Lenten Weekday Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Jn 8:31-42 

30 Thu Lenten Weekday Gn 17:3-9/Jn 8:51-59 

31 Fri Lenten Weekday Jer 20:10-13/Jn 10:31-42 

APRIL 1 Sat Lenten Weekday Ez 37:21-28/Jn 11:45-56 

 2 SUN PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

Mt 21:1-11 (37)/Is 50:4-7/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54

Our gospel readings for the final weeks of Lent are taken mostly from St. John’s Gospel. Unlike the synoptic gospels, where Jesus’ ministry occurs mainly in Galilee, John’s Gospel sees Jerusalem as the place where Jesus reveals himself. Instead of going from town to town in Galilee, Jesus goes from feast to feast into Jerusalem. 

In fact, his Jerusalem ministry is why Jesus is welcomed in Galilee, John says: ”When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.” (John 4: 43)

Jesus teaches in the temple on the feasts; his miracles during the feasts are signs he replaces. He is the new Sabbath. On the Feast of Pentecost, he healed the paralyzed man at the pool of Siloam. (John 5: 1-18). He heals a paralyzed world.  On the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7-8 ), which supply most of our gospel readings for the 4th and 5th week of Lent, Jesus reveals himself as the living water come down from heaven and the light of the world. His cure of the man born blind during that feast is a sign he is the Light of the world.  

On Friday of this week, the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple, a winter feast, Jesus is challenged again over his claim to be the new Temple. He teaches in the temple this Saturday as the approach of the Feast of Passover is recalled. In the reading from John 11:45-56 Caiaphas, the high priest, makes the fateful prophecy that one man should die instead of a whole people perishing. How does Jesus respond ? He raises Lazarus from the dead.

The gospel readings Tuesday- Saturday of this week contain Jesus’ important claims to be greater than Abraham. He is God’s Son, “I Am”. He will be condemned for this claim.