Sunday April 6, 2025

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Identifying the least among us and reaching out to them is a good Lenten exercise.

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Good News Reflection for:

5th Sunday of Lent
April 6, 2025

Today’s Prayer:

My Lord: Help me to be always aware that You love me with my fragility and my sin. Help me to treat my neighbors with the same merciful attitude You treat me. Amen.

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Today’s Readings:

Isaiah 43:16-21
Ps 126:1-6
Phil 3:8-14
John 8:1-11
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-april-6-2025-year-c

Christ’s compassion

You can also see this reflection on video:
gnm-media.org/john-8-compassion-cures-condemnation/

This Sunday’s Gospel reading shows us a good example of how to treat someone who is, as Jesus says elsewhere in scripture (Matthew 25) “the least of these.” The recipient of Christ’s compassion in this story was considered to be unworthy of life itself. She was first of all a woman, which in her society meant she was inferior to men. She was a sinner and deserved punishment. She was one single person facing a condemning crowd alone. How much more of a “least” one could anyone be?

When have you felt alone and insignificant? Perhaps you’ve faced a condemning crowd. Then again, have you ever treated others as if they’re not important? Yes, none of us can cast the first stone.

There are many in the Church who feel forgotten and neglected. We all know some of them. Their loneliness is usually hidden from us, and if we’re busy with many important responsibilities, seeking them out and giving them attention feels too overwhelming. Their needs become too insignificant to warrant the expense of our time, the development of parish resources, and the sacrifice of our personal comfort.

Divorced Catholics often feel condemned, and many who could be receiving Communion stay away because they’ve been misinformed about the Church’s rules, and no one is reaching out to lead them back.

And although the Church has been focusing on stopping the abuse of children, often the sin of homosexual activities between “consenting” adults and the lustful or abusive grooming of easily influenced adults is ignored, because they are dismissed as “less vulnerable” — they are of least concern.

Identifying the least among us and reaching out to them is a good Lenten exercise — but only if the intention is to make it a year-round habit.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
Which persons are you neglecting because their situation makes you feel uncomfortable or inadequate? Which members of your family or parish do you avoid because you like them “least” of all? Begin to give them compassionate attention by praying for them, then discern if the Lord is inspiring you to do anything more.

Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
Share the story of a time when you encountered — or were — one of “the least of these”. Did anyone show compassion? How? Where was Jesus? How was he helping?

For more help on this topic, see our Faith Booster: “Do the Word” @ https://wordbytes.org/faith-booster-minis/do-the-word/.

© by Terry A. Modica, Good News Ministries

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