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In today´s Gospel, we can appreciate how Judas and Jesus embraced their turning points. Juda´s turning point is marked by the expression ¨from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him (Jesus) over. ¨ His turning point was motivated by his ambition and the price of thirty pieces of silver. His turning point consisted of looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over. His turning point was a betrayal. It was a turning point that led him to anguish, fear, regret, desperation and finally, self-destruction.

The first sentence of today’s Gospel talks about betrayal. The last sentence of today’s Gospel talks about denying Jesus. We are clearly headed for something gloomy. Betrayal and denial are rearing their ugly head as Jesus prepares to enter his passion. We often associate the passion with the physical pain and torture that Jesus endured, but there was also the suffering caused by his disciples and followers. Judas literally sold him out, and Peter denied him three times.

Today's reading is a reminder for us on how God created human beings differently from all of His creations. He breathes forth His Spirit in us. We are so special and loved. This reading also is an inspiration to spread His Gospel as He believes in the goodness of His creation. He molded us in his likeness and goodness. The spirit of God in us will be our guide. The experiences we had in this life journey are opportunities for us to be wiser and better day by day. That wisdom will spring from within as long as we live our lives following His commands.

All twelve abandon Jesus. We know the name of a passer-by named Simon, of one called Simon in Gethsemane, and of a leper, Simon. The names of Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome who observed from a distance are familiar to us. There is one whose name we do not know who anointed the Anointed One and whose identity is she who anointed with remarkable extravagance of oil and heart.

Although the word ‘mercy’ is not actually used in this reading, the verbal imagery calls to mind the triumph of God’s Mercy over the forces of sin. The prophet’s use of strong positive verbs throughout the passage communicates very forcefully the power of God’s Will to forgive, to cleanse, and to restore a human condition shattered and broken apart by the most grievous offenses.

Focusing then on His “sheep” - among whom we are counted: Jesus reminds the crowd that His sheep hear His voice, He knows them, they follow Him, He gives them eternal life, they shall never perish, and no one can snatch them from His hands. The Father has given us to Yeshua. We are safe! It is less about our faithfulness than His faithfulness. “He has rescued us from the power of the wicked.”

“Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will” (Psalm 40). What did the words of the psalmist mean for the Blessed Virgin Mary then and for us today? Do I sit quiet enough or long enough to hear what God is calling me to do today? Do I respond with trust and faith?

In the first reading from Daniel, we find three men being thrown into a furnace for not worshipping a golden image. They do not plead for their lives to King Nebuchadnezzar, nor do they beg God to save them. Rather, they acknowledge that God may save them if He so wills, but if not, they will die willingly rather than worship false gods. They did not blame, they accepted. In fact, they praised!

Who is Jesus? That question resonated amongst many who listened to the teachings of Jesus. He explained who He was, but they still did not understand. Is it because they were unable or unwilling to make the connection between him and God the Father? Jesus was sent by God to share the Good News and did it only with God’s authority. Nothing He explained came from Him alone, but through the teachings of God himself.

Too often we choose the easier path, the path of least resistance. And today many preachers and lectors might do that by simply choosing the shorter version of the first reading. As Dominicans we should always give preference to the Word and proclaim the scripture. Too often we treat Mass as something to get through as opposed to the unique presence of Jesus in his Word and in the Eucharist. In the long form of today’s first reading, we come across the story of Susanna, who properly belongs to the deutero-canonical text. Simply put, she’s in the Catholic bible, not the Protestant one. Yet another reason to take a deep dive into the story.

Arriving at the place of choice, the one syllable, “Yes”, when we know the consequence of that, “Yes” will be life-changing, unalterable, transformative. No turning back. Ever.

The responsorial psalm reminds us where to look for the truth, “O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.” There is the truth; there in the Lord our God.

Joseph, a man of deep love of God, despite not considering himself good enough, lovingly obeyed God. May we follow his example. During this “year of Saint Joseph,” may God continue to add through those who imitate him by being lovingly close to Christ and Mary. Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us. Amen.

This Lent I have been thinking about “Truth,” one of the Dominican mottos. I wonder what it means in times like this when so much threatens to divide us. This is close to home for me. My son and my grandson are often locked in argument and when it happens each of them argues heatedly from his own perception of truth and neither give an inch to the other’s point of view. Misery ensues.

Dominicans and others can learn quite a bit from the life of St. Patrick. Far from how he is commonly celebrated by our culture today, St. Patrick was a humble, yet bold missionary preacher sent by God to a culture on the periphery. He preached Christ and called people to repentance and conversion.

Today’s readings focus on GOD’S infinite Mercy and Compassion. Isaiah’s prophecy tells of GOD’s plan of salvation for His people in opening heaven to all who believe in Him and that all will be rejoicing. “The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind” can easily be seen as a reference to the sacrament of Reconciliation. All of which will come to pass after Jesus’ Resurrection.

The Gospel of John this Laetare Sunday tells us, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Even at the lowest points of human history, through the worst evils and most hideous sins, God did not abandon the world. The Psalm reveals the Lord’s tenderness towards his creation: “If I forget you Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten!” There is much darkness in the world, but there is also light. Rather than leaving the world to fester in its sin, God became like us so that he could save us. God knows our intrinsic goodness as his creation, and his mission is to continually help all of us step into the light and see our goodness through his Son.

Our Lucan gospel lesson about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Publican) directly follows the story of the woman and the unjust judge. Both parables deal with those thinking they are more righteous—spiritually better, than others. In today’s reading, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders who think highly of themselves, but we also know that Jesus addresses both parables to us.