Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Gathering What Is Scattered
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
At the time of the purifying trial of the exile, Ezekiel preaches God’s utopian dream: Israel will be gathered into one: one nation, one land, one sanctuary, ruled by one shepherd and a servant king under one God in a covenant of peace.
After the resurrection of Lazarus, the cynical High Priest and leaders decide to put the embarrassing troublemaker, Jesus, to death for opportunistic reasons of the state. But John, and Christians with him, realise that Jesus’ death, for the sake of all, will ultimately unify us all in his kingdom.
Today, we are still scattered and divided tribes, both within and outside the Church. Is unity for us utopia or a firm hope? Do we realise that it can be attained only by respect, love and sacrifice?
Opening Prayer
Lord God, creator and Father of all,
your sons and daughters
are still scattered and divided:
Christians and non-Christians,
various Churches and sects
claiming exclusive rights on your Son,
and each of them full of factions.
Make us dream again the dream
which you alone can make possible:
that we can all be one
if we believe and follow him
who died to unite all that is scattered,
Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings:
The grain, the wine, and the oil,
the sheep and the oxen.
R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.
Alleluia Verse
Glory and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Glory and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ
Prayers of the Faithful
– That our world may become one in seeking peace for all; with access for all nations to the goods of our world and respect and understanding for every people on earth, we pray:
– That the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus may bring together the divided and scattered Churches, we pray:
– That our communities may find unity in prayer, sharing and mutual service, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
you have called us together
at the table of your Son.
Unite us in him,
make us one of heart and mind,
that we may become to a divided world
a sign that unity is possible
when we can meet in Christ Jesus,
Your Son and our Lord forever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God and Father,
you want us to become one
under Christ, our shepherd and servant.
May we learn from him
to be servants of love and truth
and to sacrifice our clannish interests
for the sake of the good of all.
Under the guidance of your Son,
May we truly be your people
And you our God, forever and ever.
Blessing
How far we are still from the ideal of one heart and one mind, be it our world, our Churches, our communities? May God bring his scattered children together and bless us, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
John 11:45-56
For the good of humanity
We are now on the threshold of Holy Week. The Gospel narrative today picks up the events that followed immediately after Jesus raised Lazarus to life.
An official meeting of the religious leadership at the highest level takes the decision to put Jesus to death because he brought a man back to life. In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus sealed his own death sentence. "…It is better for you that one man dies for the sake of the people than that the whole nation is destroyed."
Members of the Sanhedrin were more concerned with maintaining their power base than with protecting national interests. Caiaphas succeeded in manipulating the Sanhedrin and convinced them to kill the prince of peace!
Jesus, in his free will, chose the Feast of the Passover for the journey to his life-giving death and freedom because the Israelites had taken their first steps towards freedom with the original Passover.
During the first Passover in Egypt, lambs were killed, and their blood was sprinkled on the doorsteps of the Israelites; thus, they were saved from the sword of the angel of destruction.In the new Passover of Jesus, the new liberation begins, but not by the blood of lambs but by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Tomorrow, on Palm Sunday, we enter the Holy Week. Let us prepare ourselves to walk with Jesus to witness his passion, death and resurrection.
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John 11: 45-57
One Man dies for the people
Today’s Gospel presents a critical turning point in Jesus’ life. Following the resurrection of Lazarus, many came to believe in him, while others hurried to inform the authorities. The Pharisees and high priests, already anxious about Jesus’ growing following, convened a council. Their apprehension was evident: "If we allow him to continue this way, everyone will put their faith in him... and the Romans will come and destroy our nation." (John 11:48). The conflict between truth and self-preservation prompted a tragic choice: “It is better for one man to die, lest the whole nation should perish.”
This narrative serves as a caution regarding how temptation operates within us all. Sin typically starts subtly—with minor fears, pride, or jealousy. If not addressed, it expands, influences others, and ultimately becomes rationalised in our minds. The religious leaders justified their belief that Jesus must die for peace when in reality, they were safeguarding their own power and comfort.
How often do we rationalise sin in our own lives? We justify gossip as “concern,” and selfishness as “prudence” or unforgiveness as “justice.” Like the Pharisees, we can become blind to God’s presence because we fear change.
Yet, even in this dark moment, God’s plan unfolds. Caiaphas’ words unintentionally prophesied a greater truth: Jesus would die, not just for one nation, but to gather all of God’s scattered children.
As Holy Week approaches, we are invited to reflect deeply. Where have small temptations crept into our hearts? Have they grown and led us to justify attitudes or actions that distance us from God?
May the Holy Spirit grant us the wisdom to recognise temptation early, the courage to stop its spread, and the grace to return to God’s mercy.