Gospel: March 28, 2026
March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
5th Week of Lent
Psalter: Week 1 (Violet)
Jer 31:10, 11-12, 13
The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
1st Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28
Gospel: John 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw what he did; but some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Council.
They said, “What are we to do? For this man keeps on performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, all the people will believe in him and, as a result of this, the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation.”
Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! It is better to have one man die for the people than to let the whole nation be destroyed.”
In saying this Caiaphas did not speak for himself, but being High Priest that year, he foretold like a prophet that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also would die in order to gather into one the scattered children of God. So, from that day on, they were determined to kill him.
Because of this, Jesus no longer moved about freely among the Jews. He withdrew instead to the country near the wilderness, and stayed with his disciples in a town called Ephraim.
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and people from everywhere were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. They looked for Jesus and, as they stood in the temple, they talked with one another, “What do you think? Will he come to the festival?”
Reflection:
“What are we to do?”
The theme of fear and control emerges in the gospel passage. The religious leaders grapple with the implications of Jesus’ miracles, particularly when He raises Lazarus from the dead. They convene to determine how to manage Jesus’ growing influence, anxious that His actions might lead to their own downfall. The question “What are we to do?” encapsulates their fear of losing power over the people.
This situation highlights a common experience for everyone: the challenge of maintaining control during uncertain times. Just as leaders attempt to devise plans against perceived threats, we often cling to our comforts and routines when facing changes or difficulties.
Instead of trying to control everything, we can choose to be open and trust in the process of life. Recognizing our fears and seeking understanding rather than becoming defensive allows us to grow and connect with others. Jesus’ presence invites us to release our need for control and embrace the transformative power of faith, reminding us that the most significant changes often occur when we let go and accept what we don’t fully understand.
