Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“My deliverer from angry nations, you set me above my assailants; you saved me from the violent man, O Lord” (Cf. Ps 17: 48-49) This opening acclamation of confidence in God’s saving action echoes the prayer of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego that we hear in the first reading from Daniel 3. The three young men place their total trust in the only true God to rescue them from the white-hot furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. “If our God…can save us…from your hands, O king, may he save us!” The responsorial refrain “Glory and praise forever!” (Dn 3:52) is their prayer of thanksgiving for deliverance from death and it is our own affirmation of the one and only saving God.
The entrance antiphon is also Jesus’ prayer for deliverance as the crowds threaten him with words of violence. Jesus says “You are trying to kill me because my word has no room among you” (Jn 8:37). He tries in vain to help them understand that “If you remain in my word…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” And Jesus goes on to explain that the freedom of which he speaks is freedom from sin. The people refuse to believe that Jesus has come from the Father and is his only Son. As we approach the altar at communion today, let us express the depth of our faith in the Son of God who came to bring us salvation and freedom from the bondage of sin: “God has brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1: 13-14).
Prayer for Today: O Lord, God of our fathers, I give you glory and praise! Help me to remain in the word of your Son, Jesus, to be a true disciple, so that I may know the truth and may enjoy the freedom of being one of your children.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources