The Merciful Mission of God

Have you ever felt forgotten—by others, by life, maybe even by God? Today’s readings speak directly into that ache, offering not only reassurance but a powerful truth: we are never outside the reach of God’s mercy. Whether you’re bowed down by suffering, burdened by sin, or quietly longing for renewal, the Word reminds us that God is not distant—He is near, active, and tender toward His people.

In Isaiah 49, we hear God’s promise of restoration to a people in exile—both physically and spiritually. Israel, devastated and scattered, feared they had been abandoned. But the Lord answers with a divine declaration of eternal love: “Even should she forget, I will never forget you”. This echoes through the centuries and finds its fulfillment in Christ, as revealed in The Gospel of John. Jesus boldly proclaims His unity with the Father and His divine authority to give life and execute judgment—yet He does so not to condemn, but to lift us from death into life. His very mission is mercy. He is the living Covenant that Isaiah foretold, the one who calls out: “Come out!” to those in darkness.

The Church places these readings before us during Lent as a reminder of the heart of our faith: a God who comes close. A God who doesn’t just pity the fallen, but “raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145). These passages are not abstract theology—they are deeply personal. They reveal a God who knows your wounds and works still, even now, to bring you healing. What part of your heart needs to hear His voice today?

First Reading – Isaiah 49:8–15

He Remembers You

This passage from The Book of the Prophet Isaiah comes from the second part of the book, often referred to as “Deutero-Isaiah” (chapters 40–55), written during the Babylonian exile. The Israelites were far from home, both physically and spiritually, having experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of the Temple—the very heart of their covenant identity. Into this desolation, God speaks words of hope and restoration through His prophet. This section is known as one of the “Servant Songs,” where the servant of the Lord becomes a beacon of redemption for Israel and, ultimately, the world. In this reading, God reaffirms His covenant, not only promising physical return to the land but spiritual renewal and liberation. The reading directly supports today’s theme: God’s unfailing mercy and the life-giving mission of Christ. Even in exile, in the depth of loss and despair, God is not silent—He is working. He is remembering. And He is preparing the way home.

Isaiah 49:8-15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

The Liberation and Restoration of Zion
⁸     Thus says the Lord:
In a time of favor I answer you,
    on the day of salvation I help you;
I form you and set you
    as a covenant for the people,
To restore the land
    and allot the devastated heritages,
⁹ To say to the prisoners: Come out!
    To those in darkness: Show yourselves!
Along the roadways they shall find pasture,
    on every barren height shall their pastures be.
¹⁰ They shall not hunger or thirst;
    nor shall scorching wind or sun strike them;
For he who pities them leads them
    and guides them beside springs of water.
¹¹ I will turn all my mountains into roadway,
    and make my highways level.
¹² See, these shall come from afar:
    some from the north and the west,
    others from the land of Syene.
¹³ Sing out, heavens, and rejoice, earth,
    break forth into song, you mountains,
For the Lord comforts his people
    and shows mercy to his afflicted.
¹⁴ But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me;
    my Lord has forgotten me.”
¹⁵ Can a mother forget her infant,
    be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
    I will never forget you.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 8 – “Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; I form you and set you as a covenant for the people, to restore the land and allot the devastated heritages”
This verse establishes the Servant as a divinely appointed covenant—God’s personal answer to the cries of His people. The “time of favor” and “day of salvation” anticipate not just Israel’s return from exile but a greater restoration through Christ. The Servant isn’t just a messenger; He is the covenant itself, fulfilled in Jesus who said at the Last Supper, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).

Verse 9 – “To say to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the roadways they shall find pasture, on every barren height shall their pastures be.”
This imagery evokes both physical and spiritual freedom. Prisoners are not only those behind bars but all held captive by sin, despair, or disillusionment. The Servant’s mission includes calling forth those in darkness—foreshadowing Jesus, who declares: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). The pastures symbolize divine provision and security, even in places once thought desolate.

Verse 10 – “They shall not hunger or thirst; nor shall scorching wind or sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water.”
This verse reflects divine tenderness and recalls Psalm 23, where the Lord is our shepherd. In a literal sense, God promises to sustain His people during their return from exile; spiritually, it speaks to Christ’s role as the Good Shepherd, leading His flock to living water. As the Catechism teaches, “Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God’s desire for us” (CCC 2560).

Verse 11 – “I will turn all my mountains into roadway, and make my highways level.”
God’s mercy isn’t passive; it reshapes the terrain of our lives. The imagery here speaks of obstacles being transformed into access—barriers removed so that God’s people can return. This is a promise of both logistical deliverance and spiritual transformation. The same God who made a path through the Red Sea now levels mountains for His people.

Verse 12 – “See, these shall come from afar: some from the north and the west, others from the land of Syene.”
God’s mercy reaches beyond borders. The reference to people coming from all directions anticipates the universal mission of the Gospel. This is not just a return for Judah but a call to all nations, which Jesus fulfills in His ministry to Gentiles and Jews alike.

Verse 13 – “Sing out, heavens, and rejoice, earth, break forth into song, you mountains, For the Lord comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.”
All creation rejoices at God’s act of restoration. Heaven and earth are invited to witness and celebrate divine mercy. The affliction of the people is met not with judgment but comfort—a profound foreshadowing of Jesus, whose mission is summarized in Luke 4: “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives… to let the oppressed go free”.

Verse 14 – “But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’”
This cry of abandonment is deeply human. After years of silence and suffering, the people believe God has forgotten them. It reflects the experience of many in spiritual desolation. Yet God’s answer will be one of the most tender in all of Scripture.

Verse 15 – “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
Here, God uses the most intimate human analogy—a mother and her infant—to express the unbreakable bond of divine love. Even if the impossible were to happen and a mother forgets her child, God’s love remains. This is the climax of the reading and encapsulates the message of today: You are never forgotten by God.

Teachings

The Church, through this passage, points us toward the merciful heart of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “God reveals his fatherly omnipotence by the way he takes care of our needs… by the way he welcomes the prodigal son… and by his infinite mercy” (CCC 270). These words of Isaiah speak not just to Israel but to every believer, calling us to trust in God’s unceasing care. Saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux cherished such images of God’s tenderness, and she wrote: “What sweet joy it is to think that God is just: that is, He takes into account our weakness”. This is a reminder that God’s mercy doesn’t look for our perfection but meets us in our brokenness.

Historically, this passage also inspired hope during times of persecution—such as the early Church’s suffering under Rome—reinforcing that divine mercy was not a passing feeling but a steadfast promise. The early Christians drew strength from these words, understanding that God’s promises to His people extended to them as well. Even in their darkest hours, they trusted that they were not forgotten.

Finally, this passage foreshadows the ministry of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promise of divine mercy. Christ, the true Servant of the Lord, not only restores the land but restores the soul through His death and resurrection. Through His life-giving work, He continues to call us out of darkness and into the light of God’s love, just as Isaiah foretold. As the Catechism states: “Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is the living, personal Word of God… and in Him, God’s mercy is perfectly revealed” (CCC 516).

Reflection

During Lent, this reading invites us to surrender our fears of abandonment and spiritual dryness. Where have you felt like God has forgotten you? What past wounds or current struggles feel like desolate lands in need of restoration? God is not only aware—He is actively working in your favor. Perhaps the mountains before you are already being flattened. Let us respond with trust, with praise, and with a willingness to be led. This week, take some quiet time to sit with verse 15 and pray with it. Write it down, speak it aloud, or carry it in your heart. What does it mean to believe—really believe—that God will never forget you?

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145:8–9, 13–14, 17–18

The Lord is Near to All Who Call Upon Him

Psalm 145 is a hymn of praise that celebrates the goodness, mercy, and justice of the Lord. It stands as a powerful declaration of God’s unwavering faithfulness and His attention to all His creatures. This psalm, attributed to King David, is often referred to as an acrostic psalm because its verses, in the Hebrew, begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which further emphasizes the completeness of God’s reign. Positioned in the context of the liturgy, Psalm 145 aligns with today’s theme of God’s constant mercy and closeness to His people, particularly in times of struggle and despair, as we can see in the readings from Isaiah and John. God is both compassionate and just, qualities that resonate deeply in the heart of the Christian faith, where we find the fulfillment of this psalm in the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

⁸ The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
⁹ The Lord is good to all,
    compassionate toward all your works.

¹³ Your reign is a reign for all ages,
    your dominion for all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all his words,
    and loving in all his works.
¹⁴ The Lord supports all who are falling
    and raises up all who are bowed down.

¹⁷ The Lord is just in all his ways,
    merciful in all his works.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
    to all who call upon him in truth.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 8 – “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.”
This verse introduces the Lord’s character. His grace and mercy are the foundation of His relationship with humanity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God’s mercy is a constant throughout the Scriptures: “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life” (CCC 1846). God’s mercy, revealed fully in Christ, is His love in action. This verse calls us to recognize that God’s response to our failings is not anger or retribution, but compassion and forgiveness, illustrating His willingness to walk with us through our struggles.

Verse 9 – “The Lord is good to all, compassionate toward all your works.”
Here, the psalm emphasizes God’s inclusive goodness and compassion. He is good not only to His chosen people but to all creation. This reinforces the universal scope of God’s mercy. In Matthew 5:45, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to be merciful, just as the Father is merciful: “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”. The psalm thus mirrors the call of Christ to imitate the Father’s goodness in our own lives.

Verse 13 – “Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations.”
This verse reflects the eternal nature of God’s kingship. Unlike earthly kingdoms that rise and fall, God’s dominion is forever. In this way, God’s mercy is not temporary or conditional; it is everlasting. The Catechism reminds us that Christ is the eternal King whose reign is never-ending, as stated in Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (CCC 668). This eternal reign is a source of hope for the faithful, as it means that God’s love and justice will persist for all generations.

Verse 14 – “The Lord supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.”
This verse speaks directly to those who are suffering or struggling. It highlights God’s role as the one who restores and strengthens. This can be seen as both a physical and spiritual promise—God’s grace extends to those who are spiritually wounded or physically weary. Jesus exemplified this in His ministry, lifting up those who were cast aside by society, such as the lepers, the blind, and the poor. The Catechism teaches that “Jesus came to heal the sick and bring the dead to life, both spiritually and physically” (CCC 1420), showing the deep compassion that this verse foreshadows.

Verse 17 – “The Lord is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works.”
This verse encapsulates the dual nature of God’s character—His justice and His mercy. It reminds us that God’s actions are always in alignment with His nature, and both justice and mercy are vital components of His relationship with His creation. The Catechism emphasizes this balance: “The justice of God is the foundation of the Kingdom of God, while his mercy offers hope for sinners” (CCC 841). God’s justice is restorative, not punitive, and His mercy ensures that we always have the opportunity for reconciliation.

Verse 18 – “The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.”
The final verse speaks to God’s proximity to those who seek Him. This is a comforting reminder that God is not distant or unreachable. He is near, always available to those who earnestly call upon Him. Jesus echoed this truth when He said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). This verse assures us that God’s mercy is always within reach for those who seek Him with sincerity.

Teachings

The Church teaches that God’s mercy is a central part of His divine nature, as The Catechism states: “God is love, and in the love of God there is both justice and mercy” (CCC 214). This is seen in how God, through the life and death of Jesus Christ, offers a means of salvation for all, regardless of their failings. The mercy of God is not a superficial pardon, but a deep, transformative love that heals and restores. This aligns with the teachings of St. Augustine, who wrote, “God does not give us what we deserve, but He gives us what we need, and that is mercy”. God’s justice does not negate His mercy but complements it, ensuring that mercy always triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Historically, Psalm 145 has been a source of comfort and inspiration during times of persecution. Early Christians in Rome, facing dire circumstances, would pray the psalm, trusting in God’s near presence, His mercy, and His eternal kingship. This psalm also has profound significance during Lent as we reflect on the justice of Christ’s Passion and the mercy He extended to humanity through His suffering. It challenges us to examine how we embody these attributes in our daily lives, especially in our relationships with others.

The psalm also draws us into the universal scope of God’s mercy. The early Church, particularly in the writings of the Church Fathers, emphasized that God’s mercy reaches beyond the bounds of Israel, extending to the Gentiles and to all who call upon His name in faith. In this way, we are called to imitate God’s mercy, reaching out to others in love and compassion, as Christ did. As The Catechism reminds us, “The Church’s mission is to evangelize and bring the message of salvation to all” (CCC 849). This mission begins by understanding and living God’s mercy in our own lives.

Reflection

How do we experience God’s mercy in our everyday lives? Where do you see His compassion in your daily struggles? When you feel weak or overwhelmed, the Lord promises to be near, lifting you up when you fall. How can you be an instrument of mercy to those around you today? Whether it’s offering forgiveness, lending a hand to someone in need, or showing patience with those who are difficult, this psalm calls us to reflect God’s justice and mercy in all our actions. What would it look like to live each day with the certainty that the Lord is near to you, offering His mercy and support? As we continue our Lenten journey, let us call upon God with sincerity, trusting that He will respond with the love and grace that He promises in this psalm.

Holy Gospel – John 5:17–30

The Work of the Son is Mercy and Life

This passage from The Gospel of John takes place after Jesus heals a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Rather than rejoicing in the miracle, the Jewish leaders are outraged that Jesus healed on the Sabbath—a perceived violation of the law. But what scandalizes them even more is Jesus’ claim that God is His Father, making Himself equal to God. This sets the stage for a profound theological revelation in which Jesus unveils His divine authority and unity with the Father. John’s Gospel is distinct in its deep emphasis on Christ’s divinity. Here, Jesus does not simply claim to work for God; He proclaims that He does what the Father does. This teaching brings today’s theme into sharp focus: God’s mercy is not abstract—it is embodied in the life-giving mission of Christ, who is not only near but actively working on our behalf. The Son comes to give life, raise the dead, and offer eternal communion with the Father. This Gospel passage is both radical and deeply consoling: we are not forgotten because the Son is always at work.

John 5:17-30
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” ¹⁸ For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.

The Work of the Son. ¹⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father doing; for what he does, his son will do also. ²⁰ For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. ²² Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to his Son, ²³ so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. ²⁴ Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. ²⁵ Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself. ²⁷ And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.
³⁰ “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 17 – “But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.’”
This statement is revolutionary. While Jewish tradition held that God “rested” on the seventh day, it also understood that God continued to sustain creation—He was always working in mercy. Jesus aligns Himself with this divine activity, asserting that He, too, works continuously. This is not mere healing—it’s redemptive work that flows from divine love.

Verse 18 – “For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.”
Jesus’ words are not misunderstood here—the religious leaders grasp the full weight of His claim. Calling God “Father” in such an intimate and exclusive way was seen as blasphemy. The tension escalates not because of misunderstanding, but because Jesus is directly revealing His divine identity.

Verse 19 – “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father doing; for what he does, his son will do also.’”
This verse establishes the complete unity between Father and Son. Jesus does not act independently or rebelliously—He acts in perfect harmony with the Father. The phrase “Amen, amen” signals a solemn and definitive teaching. Jesus’ authority comes from the Father, but it is not lesser; it is shared.

Verse 20 – “For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.”
The intimate love between the Father and Son is the wellspring of divine action. Greater works—resurrection, judgment, eternal life—are coming. This verse invites awe and prepares the listener for the revelation of divine power expressed in mercy.

Verse 21 – “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.”
Only God has the power to give life. Jesus shares this divine prerogative. This anticipates His raising of Lazarus and ultimately, His own resurrection. But beyond physical life, Jesus offers eternal life—restoration from spiritual death, sin, and alienation.

Verse 22 – “Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to his Son.”
Jesus is not only the giver of life—He is also the judge. But His judgment is not arbitrary. It is the judgment of one who fully knows the human heart and who came not to condemn, but to save. This echoes John 3:17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Verse 23 – “So that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”
To honor Jesus is to honor God. There is no separation in the divine mission. Rejection of Christ is rejection of the Father. This verse calls the listener to a response—faith is not optional; it is essential to receiving life.

Verse 24 – “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.”
This verse is a profound promise. Eternal life begins now for the one who believes. This is not merely future hope; it is present transformation. Jesus does not say will have life—He says has eternal life. Belief in Christ changes our destiny immediately.

Verse 25 – “Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”
Jesus declares that His voice has the power to bring life to the dead. This refers both to the physically dead and the spiritually dead. Those who are attentive—who “hear”—will experience resurrection, even now, through grace.

Verse 26 – “For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself.”
Life is not something borrowed—it is something Jesus possesses in Himself. The Son is not a mere vessel or prophet; He is life itself. This divine self-sufficiency is another declaration of His equality with the Father.

Verse 27 – “And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man.”
“Son of Man” is a Messianic title rooted in Daniel 7, where the one “like a son of man” comes on the clouds to receive dominion and glory. Jesus fulfills this prophecy, not by domination, but through mercy and sacrificial love.

Verse 28 – “Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice.”
This signals the final resurrection. Just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, He will call all from death at the end of time. His voice is not limited by time or space—it pierces the grave itself.

Verse 29 – “And will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.”
There is a moral weight to resurrection. Faith and works are not opposed—they are united in the life of the believer. This verse affirms the Church’s teaching on the final judgment, where our lives will be measured by both faith and love.

Verse 30 – “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
The final verse circles back to unity with the Father. Jesus’ authority is not self-serving—it is rooted in divine obedience. His judgment is just because it is grounded in perfect love and perfect knowledge.

Teachings

This Gospel passage is one of the clearest affirmations of Christ’s divinity and mission in all of Scripture. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Jesus Christ is true God and true man, in the unity of his divine person; for this reason he is the one and only mediator between God and men” (CCC 480). Jesus’ authority to give life and judge is not given in isolation—it flows from His eternal Sonship. The Church proclaims that in Christ, we see the face of the Father and the work of salvation brought to completion.

Saint Athanasius, a great defender of the divinity of Christ, wrote: “He became what we are, so that He might make us what He is”. This truth is revealed in today’s Gospel: Jesus shares the divine life with the Father and shares it with us through faith. His judgment is not condemnation, but restoration. As CCC 678 explains: “Christ is Lord of eternal life. The full right to pass definitive judgment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world.” His justice is inseparable from His mercy.

Historically, these verses were radical in the context of Second Temple Judaism. Jesus was not simply teaching a new way of life—He was revealing His divine identity and claiming roles previously attributed only to God: Giver of life, Judge, and Redeemer. This revelation would become the cornerstone of Christian theology, inspiring early creeds and councils, including Nicaea, which affirmed that the Son is “consubstantial with the Father.” The Gospel of John, and particularly this passage, became foundational for the Church’s understanding of the Trinity and the nature of Christ.

Reflection

What does it mean that Jesus is always at work—for you? In what ways do you resist trusting in His authority or mercy? This Gospel invites us to reflect deeply on how we respond to the presence of Christ in our lives. Do you believe that His word truly gives life? Have you allowed His voice to raise the parts of you that feel spiritually dead? Lent is the perfect season to listen closely—to make space for His voice and to respond in faith. If you feel far from God, today’s Gospel reminds you that Jesus is not far. He is working, He is calling, and He is ready to lift you from death to life. Will you answer His voice today?

God’s Mercy at Work

Today’s readings speak to the heart of God’s eternal love and mercy. From Isaiah’s promise of restoration, to the tender reassurance of Psalm 145, and the powerful revelation in John 5 of Christ’s unity with the Father and His divine mission to give life, we are reminded of one unshakable truth: God is always at work on our behalf, offering mercy, healing, and eternal life.

In the first reading, Isaiah beautifully foretells of a time when God will restore His people, even in their darkest hour. The promise that God will never forget His people, no matter how far they have fallen, echoes through the ages and speaks directly to us in our struggles. The Psalm reminds us that God’s mercy is abundant and available to all who call upon Him. He is near to us, especially when we are burdened or fallen. In the Gospel, Jesus boldly declares His role as the giver of life and judge, not to condemn, but to bring us into communion with God the Father. Through Him, we are invited into a new life that transcends death, where mercy reigns supreme.

These readings call us to reflect on how we respond to God’s mercy in our lives. Are we living as those who have passed from death to life? How do we extend God’s mercy to others? Just as Jesus worked relentlessly to bring life and healing, we too are invited to actively live out His mercy in our own lives, offering forgiveness, grace, and love to those around us.

As we continue our journey through Lent, let us open our hearts more fully to the mercy of God. Take time each day to call upon Him in truth and to listen for His voice calling you from darkness into light. In His mercy, we find our strength, our hope, and our salvation. Today, let us choose to walk in that light, knowing that we are never forgotten, always loved, and forever restored in Christ.

Engage with Us!

We’d love to hear how God is speaking to you through today’s readings. Share your thoughts, prayers, and reflections in the comments below. Whether it’s a personal insight, a line of Scripture that moved your heart, or a question you’re still sitting with, your voice matters—and it may be just what someone else needs to read today.

Reflection Questions
First Reading – Isaiah 49:8–15:
When have you felt forgotten by God, and how does His promise in verse 15 comfort you? What areas of your life need to hear the command: “Come out!” from darkness into light?

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 145:8–9, 13–14, 17–18:
Which of the Lord’s qualities described in this psalm do you need to cling to most today—His mercy, His justice, His nearness? How can you mirror God’s mercy to someone in your life who is bowed down?

Holy Gospel – John 5:17–30:
What does it mean for you personally that Jesus is always at work, even when you can’t see it? What part of your heart needs to be raised from death to life by His voice today? How does your daily life honor the Son as it honors the Father?

May your journey through Lent continue to be a time of deep healing, restoration, and joy in God’s presence. Live today with confidence that you are loved, remembered, and called to reflect that love in all you do. Let every action, no matter how small, be touched by the mercy Jesus taught us—because His mercy is still at work in you.

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