Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

At the beginning of today’s liturgy, the entrance antiphon speaks directly to the heart of the first reading from Genesis 17. “Christ is mediator of a New Covenant, so that by means of his death, those who are called may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance” (Heb 9:15). Christ is the fulfillment of the covenant made to Abraham. God promised Abraham: “I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you” (Gn 17:6). Jesus is the King of kings, the mediator of a covenant not made with the blood of calves or goats, but sealed with his own blood so that we might be freed from sin and death and inherit eternal life. The responsorial psalm further expounds on this theme: “The Lord remembers his covenant forever” (Ps 105:8). Psalm 105 recalls the covenant which God made with “his chosen ones, …binding for a thousand generations.”

The Gospel from John 8:51-59 continues, yesterday’s heated debate with the Jewish people, descendants of Abraham (the thread of connection between these readings). They ask “Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus replies: “…it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’” And again, he asserts his divine origin in the words: “…before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So incensed were the people by this “blasphemy” that they picked up stones to throw at him. As we sing the communion antiphon today, we have the opportunity to affirm our belief in Christ and in His promise that whoever keeps his word will never see death: “God did not spare His own Son, but handed him over for us all; with him, He has given us all things” (Rom 8:32).

Prayer for Today: O God of our ancestors, we recount the wondrous deeds that you have wrought, your covenant of mercy lasting for a thousand generations. Increase the depth of our faith in your Son Jesus Christ, mediator of the New Covenant through whom you have freed us from sin and gained for us eternal life.

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB