These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Responsorial Psalm (Dn 3:52-56)
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032923.cfm
The Canticle of Creation or the Canticle of the Three Youths is a moving hymn of praise that calls on all creation to give God “Glory and praise for ever!” As Holy Week is near, we reflect on the ministry of Jesus who said, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." To remain in the Word calls us to know Christ and the desires of His Heart so that we may join in the unending hymn of all creation, “Glory and praise for ever!”
So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM. (Jn 8:21-30)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032823.cfm
The Fourth Gospel has the highest Christology (understanding of Christ) in the New Testament. The phrase “I AM” reminds us of the passage in the Book of Exodus when God answers Moses and says, “This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you” (Ex 3:14). Jesus being lifted up is the moment of revelation. We behold the Cross and begin to understand and so are caught up in the mystery.
Thus was innocent blood spared that day. (Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62)
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. (Jn 8:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032723.cfm
The long story of Susanna and the Elders ends with the statement that innocent blood was spared that day. Well, the gospel tells a quite different story where the guilty walks free. Perhaps Jesus is just too soft on crime.
Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill. So the sisters sent word to him saying, “Master, the one you love is ill.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” (Jn 11:1-45)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032623.cfm
Three times in this powerful chapter the Fourth Gospel tells us that Lazarus is loved by Jesus. Could Lazarus be the Beloved Disciple? Well, it just might explain some fascinating details in this Fourth Gospel. And it certainly tells us how important love is in the Fourth Gospel Community that has gathered around the Beloved Disciple. Perhaps for all of us Beloved Disciples, the home at Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary and Lazarus, is the model for all Christian communities. Communities bases not just on apostolic power, but on apostolic power tempered by love.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us!" (Is 7:10-14; 8:10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032523.cfm
The origin of the liturgical calendar is a complicated story. The Roman Empire used a solar calendar rather than a lunar calendar used by the Jews in Israel. Early Christians knew that the first Good Friday was on the 14th of Nisan . . . but wanted to know the corresponding date on the solar calendar. It was determined that it was March 25th. So the feast of the Annunciation was assigned to the date of the Lord's death . . . which is why nine months later we celebrate the Birth of the Messiah on December 25th.
