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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 12, 2024
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Lent

Forty days before the Triduum, the Lenten season disposes Catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery through prayer and penitential practices.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reading I : Isaiah 43:16-21

God makes a new way for us.

  • After exile in Babylon, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem.
  • The Jewish people were aware that the trip back to Jerusalem would be arduous and lead them to a devastated county in need of rebuilding.
  • In today’s first reading, the prophet encourages the people to accept deliverance in this new exodus.

Reading II : Philippians 3:8-14

Freedom is knowing Christ Jesus.

  • In his letter to the Philippians, Paul speaks of a different kind of liberation.
  • Jewish Christians in Philippi insisted that Christians, including Gentiles, could be saved only by keeping all the prescriptions of Jewish law.
  • Paul insists that salvation comes not through scrupulous observance of the law but through faith in Christ and his resurrection.

Gospel : John 8:1-11

Who is without sin and can throw the first stone.

  • In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees, intent on trapping Jesus, present a woman accused of adultery to him.
  • Jesus did not contradict the law nor declare the woman guiltless.
  • Instead, he forgave the repentant sinner and confronted her accusers with their own sinfulness.