♦  LENT  ♦
Year A 2020

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Monday, March 30 -- In Our Hands
In the reading from Daniel, Susanna’s life is at risk when all are tricked into turning against her. An injustice is almost committed. The woman in the Gospel passage who is caught by the religious elders seems guilty, but we sense another injustice: the woman seems more like a pawn to be used against Jesus than someone deserving of deadly punishment. Both passages warn us against making hasty judgments. The next time you disagree with someone, ask questions that help you understand that person’s point of view. Today’s Readings: Daniel 13:1–9, 15–17, 19–30, 33–62 or 13:41c–62; Psalm 23:1–3a, 3b–4, 5, 6; John 8:1–11.
© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.
 
Tuesday, March 31-- From Above
God does not merely oppose sin and death, he subverts it. When the Israelites repent of their ingratitude, God turns the object of their punishment into an instrument of healing. Centuries later, Jesus turns the cross, an instrument of death and a symbol of Roman power, into the means of salvation and freedom. Most of all, by dying, Jesus turns death into life. Spend some time today reverencing a crucifix. Today’s Readings: Numbers 21:4–9; Psalm 102:2–3, 16–18, 19–21; John 8:21–30.
© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.
 
Wednesday, April 1-- The Living Truth
When the king orders the three men thrown into the furnace, the men enter the fire knowing that their allegiance is to the God of Israel and no one else. By embracing that truth, the men are saved from a fiery death. Because Jesus is the Son of God, those who believe in him, who embrace who he is, will be saved from death forever. Pray with Daniel 3:52–90 or write your own hymn of praise. Today’s Readings: Daniel 3:14–20, 91–92, 95; Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56; John 8:31–42.
© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.
 
Thursday, April 2 -- Unlikely as It Sounds
God’s extraordinary promises to Abraham seemed laughable. When Sarah gave birth to Isaac, however, Abraham and Sarah would have laughed for joy. In the Gospel reading, the response is far more serious when Jesus speaks of what God will do. In both cases, people struggle to believe God’s word. What God says frequently astounds and challenges us. How has God astounded or challenged you this Lenten season? Today’s Readings: Genesis 17:3–9; Psalm 105:4–5, 6–7, 8–9; John 8:51–59.
© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.
 
Friday, April 3 -- Blasphemous Works
Although we think of Jesus as an innocent victim, his opponents followed the law when charging him with blasphemy: Jesus claimed a relationship with God that surpassed all others. In response to his opponents, Jesus asks that they examine his ministry to see if his works conform to the will of God. Jeremiah, likewise, expressed his confidence that he had faithfully answered God’s call. What do your works say about you? Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 20:10–13; Psalm 18:2–3a, 3bc–4, 5–6, 7; John 10:31–42.
© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.
 
Saturday, April 4 -- Dwelling
In Ezekiel’s prophecy, God declares that he will gather all his people displaced by war, ensure their security, and dwell with them forever. In Jesus, however, God comes to his people before they and the land are ready. The people are divided and a foreign nation occupies their land. God often comes to us when we are unprepared, but perhaps that is the very reason God arrives. Without God’s guidance, we would never be ready for God to dwell with us. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confess the ways you are unprepared for God. Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 37:21–28; Jeremiah 31:10, 11–12abcd, 13; John 11:45–56.

© 2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Edrianne Ezell. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on July 12, 2019.  Scripture quotations are from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, CCD.