Friday, March 20, 2026
Mass Readings and Reflection for March 20th 2026
First Reading: (Wisdom 2:1a, 12–22)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 34:17–18, 19–20, 21, 23)
Response: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Gospel Acclamation: (Matthew 4:4)
“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Gospel: (John 7:1–2, 10, 25–30)
Reflection:
the Gospel of John that we read from today, sometimes we have to do a mental translation. When the Scriptures in John talk about “the Jews” in a very negative way, we must remember that Jesus was Jewish, Mary was Jewish, and all the Apostles were Jewish.
But by the time the Gospel of John was written, after the destruction of the Temple, there was strong tension between the early Christian community and certain Jewish authorities. That conflict is reflected in the language of the Gospel.
In today’s Gospel, we see the growing tension between Jesus and those authorities. They question Him, misunderstood Him, and ultimately sought to arrest Him. Yet, as the Gospel tells us, they cannot lay a hand on Him, because His hour has not yet come.
Over these past weeks of Lent, we have been hearing from John’s Gospel:
The woman at the well
The man born blind
Soon, the raising of Lazarus
In each of these, we see people coming to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is.
And isn’t that what Lent is about?
From ashes to Easter, we are called not just to external practices, but to interior transformation, to grow in our relationship with Christ, to know Him more deeply, and to live that knowledge in our daily lives.
Those who opposed Jesus did so because they did not fully recognize Him. They missed what was right in front of them.
But we are different.
We know the end of the story.
We know that Jesus is the risen one.
We know that He is the Christ.
That knowledge is a gift, and also a responsibility.
So as we continue this Lenten journey, we are called to live as true disciples:
Growing closer to Christ
Deepening our faith
Reflecting His presence in the world
We are also reminded to approach others with respect and dignity. The Church, especially since the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, calls us to honor all people of faith and to recognize the roots of our own faith in the Jewish people.
Therefore, we pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters, and for all who seek God with sincere hearts.
As we see the tension in today’s readings, let us not focus on division, but on transformation.
Let this season change us,
not only outwardly,
but inwardly.
May we deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior,
and carry His presence into the world.
Amen 🙏
Thursday, March 19, 2026
St. Joseph Pray for Us
Litany Invocation:
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of families, pray for us.
March 19th Mass Readings and Reflection St. Joseph Pray for Us
Mass Solemnity of St. Joseph
First Reading: (2 Samuel 7:12–14, 16)
Alleluia: (Psalm 84:5)
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.
Second Reading: (Romans 4:13, 16–18, 22)
Gospel: (Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23)
Reflection:
Today’s Gospel reveals something deeply human and deeply holy about Saint Joseph.
Joseph loved, protected, and guided Jesus, but he did not always fully understand Him.
After searching anxiously for days, he and Mary find Jesus in the Temple. And there, the child speaks words that stretch beyond earthly understanding:
“I must be in my Father’s house.”
In that moment, Joseph is confronted with a mystery,
that the son he raised belongs first to God.
This is the quiet strength of Joseph:
He protects, but does not possess
He guides, but does not control
He loves, but learns to let go
Joseph teaches us that true fatherhood, and true discipleship, is not about holding tightly, but about trusting God’s plan, even when it surpasses our own.
For parents, this is a difficult calling:
to raise, to nurture, and eventually, to release.
For all of us, Joseph is a model of faith in silence,
of obedience without full understanding,
and of humility before the will of God.
Today, we ask for his intercession:
That we may trust like he trusted.
That we may follow like he followed.
And that, like him, we may always choose God’s will over our own.
Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Mass Readings and Reflection for March 18th 2026
First Reading: (Isaiah 49:8–15)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 145) "The Lord is kind and full of compassion".
Gospel: (John 5:17–30)
Reflection:
Rich scripture readings today. God has not and will never abandon us. Through the prophet Isaiah, we hear a question that touches the very core of human love: “Can a mother forget her child?” Even if such a thing were possible, God declares, “I will never forget you.” These words are meant especially for those who feel forgotten, those weighed down by suffering, loss, or unanswered prayers.
Like Israel in exile, many of us have moments where we ask: Where is God? Does He see my pain? Does He hear my cry? In those moments, it is easy to conclude, like Zion, “The Lord has forsaken me.” But today’s reading corrects that fear. God is not absent; He is present, even when silent. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. What we see as delay, He sees as perfect timing.
The Gospel deepens this truth. Jesus reminds us that the Father is always at work. Even when nothing seems to be happening, God is working, giving life, bringing healing, preparing something greater than we can understand. Just as the Father raises the dead, so too the Son gives life. This means that no situation is beyond God’s power, not even the darkest moments of our lives.
We must also remember that sometimes God allows difficulties not to destroy us, but to reveal His glory. Just as in other parts of the Gospel, suffering can become the place where God’s power is made visible. What seems like an ending may actually be the beginning of something greater in God’s plan.
So what are we called to do? We are called to trust, to pray, and to surrender. This is not easy. In pain, we are tempted to give up, to lose faith. But the example of Christ shows us the way: “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” When we entrust everything into God’s hands, even our suffering becomes a path to grace.
Therefore, be consoled. Even if you have lost someone you love, even if your prayers seem unanswered, even if you feel alone, God has not abandoned you. He sees you. He knows you. He is working in ways you cannot yet understand. And in His time, His glory will be revealed.
Hold on to this truth: God has not forgotten you, and He never will.
Amen 🙏
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
War and Public Opinion Are Important
When a nation goes to war, public support is everything, and controlling the narrative becomes just as critical as controlling the battlefield.
Right now, our government at home doesn’t seem to have that advantage. You can see the frustration showing, even from the president and his war secretary, as the messaging slips out of their control. A lot of name calling these days.
Do you think it will get better, or is the narrative already lost?
Drop a comment.
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