FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT APRIL 8, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah Jer 20:10-13

I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

REFLECTION “I hear the whisperings of many:

“Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!”

Have you ever envied someone so much that you wanted them dead? We have heard of sham accusations, trials where the judge and jurist work backwards and have a verdict they want and so make up evidence to fit the predetermined sentence.

Such was the case of Jesus. Whisperings, murmurings, hate, intentional hardness of hearts and minds! Evil was lurking and will now start the process of destroying this Man!

Can we be like the angry crowd? Do we gossip? Do we seek the conversion of many or the wickedness of humiliating them?

Our words can be rocks used to stone people.

Can people see the Father living in us and we in the Father when we speak or act?

Meet Jesus as He carries His Cross. Can we help or can we take aim with a rock to hurt Him as we sin?

How do we bring out the best in others? May all we do bring forth the fruit of Jesus.

God bless you.