FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT, MARCH 20, 2026

MASS READINGS

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.

The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. 

REFLECTION:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.”

In our busy lives, we can forget why we are here and dive into the “needs of the world”. We dream of a happy family, a good job, success, home, cars, vacations, etc. It is interesting how as we get older, our focus is more on our souls, our eternal future. We learn from our mistakes, our brokenness and our lost dreams. We get closer to God and we encourage others to see life through our lenses.

Who of us has not had a broken heart? Crushing failures, failed friendships, prodigal children, not being forgiven by those whom we love, failed marriages, unfaithfulness, disappointments, etc. One way or another, we all have experienced brokenheartedness.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus endures the heartbreak of close minded people completely closed to the reality of who He is and where He is from. He had profound grief and frustration. ( Rend Your Heart, Redemptorist Lenten Reflections, 2026)

Jesus has endured all that we have endured but without sinning. We are not alone. God the Father who loved us first sent His beloved Son to ransom us from our sins, enduring betrayal, torture and a cruel death. Let our Father embrace us with His loving arms, especially when we are down.

God Bless You