The fifth week of Lent

By Sister Diane Clyne, Burlingame, California, United States

They said to him, 
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. 
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 
But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

John 8:4-7

Large-beaked, black vultures swooped overhead with wings at their full extension to assure that we noticed their presence. We – CCASA sisters and a score of Mercies and Mercy associates outside at a Franciscan retreat center – on the edge of Panama City January 15th – came to move and voice our response – who and what are we called TO BE at this moment in our global reality?  

Sister Charo, a liturgist and dancer from Argentina, lifted a beautiful, ribboned pole evocative of a compass to lead an opening focal movement that engaged sisters and associates in a graceful dance. About eight colors were woven together in patterned steps as six large-winged vultures stared intently at the movement below their roof- edged perch. 

This was the amazing image that came to mind from our time together in Panama as an echo of the image of an accused woman surrounded by a circle of accusing men—who simply faded away after Jesus issued the challenge; let the first stone be thrown by him who is without sin. 

By Tylia Barnes Oladipo, Associate, Gastonia, North Carolina, United States

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
In verdant pastures he gives me repose; 
Beside restful waters he leads me; 
he refreshes my soul. 

He guides me in right paths 
for his name’s sake. 
Even though I walk in the dark valley 
I fear no evil; for you are at my side 
With your rod and your staff 
that give me courage. 

Psalm 23:1-4

The blessed season of Lent invites us into deeper trust in God’s providence, and Psalm 23 echoes this assurance: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Catherine McAuley lived with this same trust, often reminding her companions, “The Lord and Master of our house and home is a faithful provider.”

Catherine’s life was filled with challenges, yet she moved forward in faith, caring for the people most in need of care without prejudice. Like the psalmist, she understood that even in the darkest valleys, God’s presence was a source of courage and strength. Lent calls us to embrace this same reliance on God—not as passive trust, but as an active response to the gentle guidance of the Spirit.

As we embrace the promise of Easter, may we find rest in God’s care and be moved, as Catherine was, to bring mercy, justice and love to those in need, knowing the Shepherd walks with us.

By Sister Elva De Castro, Zamboanga City, Philippines

He said to them, “You belong to what is below, 
I belong to what is above. 
You belong to this world, 
but I do not belong to this world. 
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. 
For if you do not believe that I AM, 
you will die in your sins.” 
So they said to him, “Who are you?” 
Jesus said to them, “What I told you from the beginning. 
I have much to say about you in condemnation. 
But the one who sent me is true, 
and what I heard from him I tell the world.” 
They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. 

John 8:23-27

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the direction of our gaze and its profound impact on our lives. Jesus calls us to engage in a deep examination of whether our focus is above the ego or driven by it. This discernment, viewed through the lens of mercy, encourages us to center our spiritual awareness on the suffering Christ, who hangs on the Cross among us, yearning for human dignity. 

Much like the Israelites, when we fixate our gaze “below”—symbolized by their longing for “food or water” that satisfied their egos while dismissing the divine manna provided by God as “wretched food”—we expose ourselves to the toxicity of the “saraph serpents,” which manifest in various forms in our lives. Conversely, when we choose to elevate our gaze beyond the limitations of the ego and walk the path of mercy alongside the diverse, disempowered suffering people of God and endangered lives in the universe, we allow the transformative power of the Cross to flow through and within us, inviting us to empower others.  

By Sister Rose Weidenbenner, Alamo, Texas, United States

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, 
“There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you 
in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!  But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up.” 

Daniel 3:16-18 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego spoke truth to power.  King Nebuchadnezzar was not happy with the response of the young men who would not do his bidding to follow his direction to worship the idol of the golden calf. The king did not ask for an apology; he tried, without success, to have the young men killed.

In the United States, on January 21, 2025, when Episcopal Bishop Marianne Budde spoke truth to power (the newly inaugurated president and vice president) it was demanded she apologize for a bold sharing of God’s word.

“Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people.”

Thank you, Bishop Marianne, for speaking truth to power unapologetically.

Author’s note: Who knows what has happened in the governments of the countries in the Institute since the writing of these reflections, as these were written and submitted on February 14?  References here to current experiences in our world and Institute occurred since January 1.

By Sister Rayleen Giannotti, Cumberland, Rhode Island, United States

God also said to Abraham:
“On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”

Genesis 17:9

God remembers forever the covenant which God made binding for a thousand generations.

Psalm 105:8

God said to Abraham: “On your part, you and your descendants after you
 must keep my covenant throughout the ages.” Through this encounter, we witness God entering a bilateral covenant, an invitation to an everlasting relationship with Abraham and his descendants. Of course, we have the privilege of knowing how this bilateral agreement was kept and broken. More often than not, we are aware of a unilateral covenant. God never falters on God’s promises! Today, we may find ourselves remembering our own personal covenant with God through Christ. It may be a good time to ask: How have I/we kept or broken our sacred promise(s)? Do I/we trust that the God who IS has been unconditionally faithful? Maybe we can find assurance and encouragement as we lift our hearts and voices with our postexilic ancestors in faith, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever” whether or not we do the same.

By Sister Sharon Kerrigan, Chicago, Illinois, United States

I hear the whisperings of many:
“Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!”
All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
“Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him.“

Jeremiah 20:10

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”

John 10:32-33

Today’s readings focus on the sufferings of Jeremiah and Jesus. Jeremiah prophesied the fall of Jerusalem because the people were ignoring God’s word (Jer.19:15). He became unpopular, was publicly humiliated and his friends denounced him (Jer.20:2,10). In spite of Jeremiah’s sufferings, he believed the Lord would rescue him so he could continue prophesying the Lord’s message (Jer.20:11,13). 

A similar story is revealed about Jesus when he encountered a group of Jews who asked him if he was the Messiah. Jesus responded: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me” (Jn.10:25).  The Jews replied they were not stoning him because of his works, but because he claimed to be the Son of God (Jn.10:33). They tried to arrest him, but Jesus escaped across the Jordan to continue his Father’s works (Jn.10:39-42). 

Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we too may experience rejection when we oppose legislation that is contrary to Jesus’ teachings. How might I continue to do the Father’s works when politics and religion overlap? The answer lies within each of us. 

By Sister Marissa Butler, Omaha, Nebraska, United States

So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” 

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, 
so that the whole nation may not perish.” 

John 11:47-50

I remember when I was a child my brother knew exactly what buttons to push to send me over the edge. Likewise, I am guilty of getting on other people’s nerves—sometimes knowingly. 

Today’s Gospel follows the raising of Lazarus, which seems to have been the last straw. The Pharisees felt threatened and began to band together to have Jesus arrested. Jesus becomes the target of not just one person, but rather a whole group of people who use Jesus as a scapegoat for their fears, anger, and insecurities.  

People came looking for Jesus, who had grown in popularity and influence, but he was nowhere to be found. The disappointment they must have felt.  

John has set the stage for Holy Week—the dark, horrific drama of the passion of Jesus. We know the pain and we know the resurrection. We don’t have to search for Jesus because he is already there waiting. This is an invitation to bring our own passion experience to Jesus and walk his dark journey with him. If our hearts are open, perhaps we, too, will have a resurrection moment.