By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB and William (Bill) Liptak

As is often the case, the Responsorial Psalm this weekend touches on the theme of the other Sunday readings. On this fifth Sunday of Lent, the key idea is obtaining from God His forgiveness. Lord, despite our sinfulness, in your goodness, do cleanse us. Hear each of us as, with the help of the Psalm, we repeat, Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Jeremiah, in the first reading, spoke out at a time when Jerusalem would be destroyed, and its leading citizens carried off into captivity. The nation had collapsed religiously and morally. God, through Jeremiah, promised a new relationship with Him, which would surely come about. Similarly, the Letter to the Hebrews says that He, God, had indeed brought about a new Covenant through Jesus Christ in the flesh, and though we were truly sinful, this Jesus, in obedience to His Father, suffered and died for our redemption.

In Chapter 12, St. John’s Gospel speaks of Jesus with only a week before the final Passover of His life. All seemed well, as they celebrated at a fine banquet the resurrection of Lazarus. But all was NOT well. Many had come to see Jesus and Lazarus. The reputation of Jesus and the wonder of Lazarus now alive had drawn a great many people to the house. Even some of the Temple priests were being converted to Jesus. Others grew yet more obstinate toward Jesus. They renewed their plan to kill Him.

The Church in her wisdom whishes to stir us up again as we approach the terrible Passover of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. It is our task to allow ourselves to feel compassion for the Lord. Let us be more mindful of what the Innocent Lamb has suffered. Allow the cost of our sinfulness and our salvation to be impressed ever more vividly on our hearts. Let us move forward in this Holy Season more closely united to our suffering Savior.

Create a clean heart in me, O God,  Give me back the joy of Your salvation. And a willing spirit sustain in me.

(See Psalm 51, Responsorial.)