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.
How can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. (Jn 10:31-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041125.cfm
The question of who Jesus is, is central for everyone. As Holy Week draws near, the Liturgy brings us even closer to the Lord as we follow in his footsteps day by day and are caught up in his love for us.
When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: "My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. (Gen 17:3-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041025.cfm
The readings and the responsorial psalm all speak of Abraham, our father in faith. In the gospel, Jesus solemnly declares: "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." As the Hour of Jesus’ glorification approaches we rejoice together with Abraham to see the day of Christ.
Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered. "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him. (Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040925.cfm
The story of the Fiery Furnace captures the imagination and invites us to trust ourselves to God’s providential care and to sing, “Glory and praise for ever!”
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. (Num 21:4-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040825.cfm
The story of the Bronze Serpent seems to contradict the commandment against graven images. Yet, Moses makes the bronze serpent as the Lord asks, and the people are healed. The early church used this story in its preaching of Christ Crucified.
Susanna cried aloud: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me.” (Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040725.cfm
In the story of Susanna God saves the innocent. In the gospel story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus saves the guilty. The good news of Lent is that all are saved! Today's photo is a stained glass window of the Trial of Susanna.
