When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Betha- ny was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

—John 11:17–21

By the time Jesus arrives at the home of his friends, Lazarus has died. His sisters mourn and many of the Jewish people nearby have come to comfort them. Martha goes out to meet Jesus, but Mary does not. Perhaps she is too disappointed, or maybe she is angry or simply too confused. Mar- tha, on the other hand, shares what’s on her heart: Jesus could have kept her brother from dying. Why did he wait?

When we experience pain and suffering, Martha’s thought is often our thought: God could have prevented this. If God is all powerful, he could have done something. This perception is both true and untrue. God works in our lives but often in ways we are not looking for. God cannot both bless us with free will and always take the hard parts of life away. We must trust in God’s judgment and timing.

Are you mad or disappointed with God for not intervening in some particularly difficult circumstance of your life or the life of someone you love? Follow Martha’s example, and confess this to him.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

—John 11:1–4

In this passage from John’s gospel, Jesus gets news that his dear friend, Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, is ill and near death. Jesus knows that what unfolds next will not end with the death of his friend but rather will greatly bless Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and bring glory to God. However, it seems that only Jesus sees this.

When we experience illness or suffer in another way, we cannot see the whole picture, but God does. His sovereignty and ability to bring good from evil is beyond our capacity to understand, yet we can be confident that God acts on our behalf always and in all things. Through his saving power God will be glorified, and more people will come to know him.

Today, pray to trust God in times of pain and suffering. Pray to trust in God’s timing.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.” When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

—John 11:1–4

In this passage from John’s gospel, Jesus gets news that his dear friend, Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, is ill and near death. Jesus knows that what unfolds next will not end with the death of his friend but rather will greatly bless Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and bring glory to God. However, it seems that only Jesus sees this.

When we experience illness or suffer in another way, we cannot see the whole picture, but God does. His sovereignty and ability to bring good from evil is beyond our capacity to understand, yet we can be confident that God acts on our behalf always and in all things. Through his saving power God will be glorified, and more people will come to know him.

Today, pray to trust God in times of pain and suffering. Pray to trust in God’s timing.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

During this fifth week of Lent we will contemplate the mystery of God’s timing. We’ve all experienced the often frustrating reality that God’s timing isn’t always our timing. In fact, at times it can seem that God’s time is never what we’d like it to be. We often become frustrated that God doesn’t step in and act when we think he ought to do so.

In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus goes to his friends Mary and Martha, who are mourning the death of their brother Lazarus. The women wonder why Jesus didn’t come sooner, since they believe that he could have prevented the death of Lazarus. While they think Jesus is too late to do anything, his timing works a much greater miracle than they ever expected.

Today, ask God for the patience to accept the events and circumstances of life in God’s time, not yours.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Psalm 7

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge;

save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, Lest I become like the lion’s prey,

to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

Do me justice, O Lord, because I am just,

and because of the innocence that is mine. Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,

but sustain the just,

O searcher of heart and soul, O just God.

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

A shield before me is God,

who saves the upright of heart; A just judge is God,

a God who punishes day by day.

O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.

This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.”

—John 9:40–41

The Pharisees are surprised to consider that they themselves might have sin in their hearts because they have been so scrupulous in following the religious laws of the day. So, too, we should not assume that our hearts are pure. Rather, we should make a habit of evaluating our own thoughts and actions before God in prayer so that we do not develop self-righteous or self-aggrandizing habits.

Today, spend time examining your conscience, letting Jesus come into your heart and revealing the ways you still need to see your sin and his mercy.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

—John 9:35–39

The blind man, although treated unjustly by the religious authorities, develops a personal relation- ship with Christ. Even though God allows imperfect and unjust people to wield earthly authority, Jesus reveals the heavenly meaning of power, as he makes himself available to all, especially those who are mistreated or suffer injustice.

God allows injustice because experiencing the weakness of this earthly kingdom often drives us to his heavenly kingdom. No matter what injustice you or your loved ones have experienced because of the misuse of earthly authority, Jesus stands ready to comfort you and reveal himself to you more completely.

Today, pray for those who are your “enemies,” people who have caused you stress or aggravation.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

—John 9:30–34

The religious leaders were supposed to be able to identify the true messiah when he came. But because they had become more concerned about protecting the rules than having a relationship with God, they were unable to see the Messiah when he was standing right in front of them. That is the truly amazing thing the formerly blind man understands.

The Pharisees refuse even to listen to what the blind man has to say. Their corrupt hearts lead to corrupt vision: they only see things one way and refuse to consider any other possibility, result- ing in a spiritual myopia. When other people and events challenge our beliefs, remember that only the Lord can open our eyes to the truth of sin and redemption.

Today, take time to have a conversation and listen to someone with whom you wouldn’t normally relate. Ask God to lead that person into closer relationship with himself.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

—John 9:13–16

According to the religious law of the day, Jesus was breaking the law by healing on the Sabbath. But Jesus exposed the corrupt and unjust hearts of many of the Pharisees by this action. These Jewish leaders were threatened by him. In their spiritual blindness, the Pharisees turn the very thing that reveals Jesus is of God into evidence against him. This is what we often see in corrupt author- ity—the use of power not to serve others but to safeguard personal interests. We see this in our workplaces, schools, community organizations, and also in ourselves when we seek to control outcomes that benefit us more than others. But Jesus heals our vision when we learn to serve others before

tending to our own greedy interests.

Today, look for an opportunity to lower yourself and lift up someone else—by taking the seat in the back or a parking space far from the door or by deflecting praise from yourself toward someone else who is deserving.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

—John 9:1–7

In this gospel story, Jesus dispels two unjust ideas in the religious culture of his day. First, while people assumed that an illness and disability were the result of one’s own or one’s parents’ wrongdoing, Jesus assures his disciples that God loves these people equally, and they become special witnesses of his love. Second, Jesus works his healing miracle on the Sabbath, a day when work wasn’t permitted. In both cases, Jesus wants to help those near him identify the priorities of his Father. Through this story Jesus teaches us to see others not with the lens of judgment but with eyes of love and mercy so we may know that the God of healing and love is accessible to all people, at all times, in all places.

Ask God today to help you see and notice in a new and loving manner those people you tend to overlook or avoid.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.