The Fifth Sunday of Lent, C

Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:8-14

John 8:1-11

The readings center on the newness of God’s actions. The First Reading strongly contrasts “the things of long ago” with “See, I am doing something new!” In its original context, this would have referred to the return from exile of the Israelites; in the context of the Gospel for today, it refers to the way that God is imparting the forgiveness of sins. The Responsorial Psalm sings of this, too: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!” The Gospel is the story of the woman taken in adultery, where Jesus confronts the accusers with the phrase, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” When her accusers melt away, He says to the woman, “’Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She replied, ‘No one, sir.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’” In the Second Reading, Paul (writing to the Philippians) gives us the basis of our relationship with God: “not having any righteousness of my own based on the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:

Finding Jesus in the temple

Teaching, there the leaders brought

Forth a woman caught in sinning:

Trapping Him was in their thoughts.

Then, instead of giving answers,

Jesus wrote upon the ground.

"Let the sinless start the stoning."

Looking up, no one was found.

"See," the prophet said in gladness,

"God is doing something new!

Cleansing, living waters, flowing

For us all with mercy true."

Each of us has known the wonder

Of forgiveness, full and free

In the mercy we are given

Through the Cross, that wondrous Tree.

87.87

tune, Stuttgart

Propers from the Roman Gradual

The propers for today’s Mass are reflective of the intensifying struggle our Lord finds himself embroiled in. The Church hears the words of the Introit as coming from the lips of the Savior, appealing for help to his Father. The Offertory reflects the new covenant theme of the First Reading. The first Communion option is sung if the Year A readings are used, and picture for us the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead; the second option is a quote from the Gospel read in Year B.

Introit: Judica me, Deus (Ps. 43:1,2a,3)

and defend my cause against an ungodly people;

deliver my soul from the deceitful and the wicked,

for you are the God of my strength.

Send out your light light and your truth, that they may lead me,

and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.

Offertory: Confitebor tibi (Ps. 119:7a, 10a,17, 107b)

I will give thanks unto you, O Lord, with my whole heart.

Deal bountifully with your servant

that I may live, and keep your word.

Preserve my life according to your word, O Lord.

Communion, option one: Videns Dominus (Jn. 11:33,35,43-44, 35)

(used when using the OCIA readings for Cycle A) ML2

When the Lord saw the sisters of Lazarus in tears near the tomb,

he wept in the presence of the Jews and cried: Lazarus, come forth!

And out he came, hands and feet bound, who had been four days dead.

Communion, option two: Qui mihi ministrat (Jn. 12:26)

(matches the Gospel in Cycle B)

If anyone serves me, let them follow me;

and where I am, there also shall my servant be.

Propers from the Simple Gradual

Entrance: BFW 91 (O God, my God, rescue me . . . )
or BFW 89 (I will go to the altar of God . . . )
Response: BFW 141 (Create a clean heart in me, O God)
or BFW 93 (Lord, come to me defense)
or BFW 94 (They have oppressed me from my youth)
or tract BFW 96 or BFW 98 — used as a tract
Gospel acclamation antiphon: BFW 95
Offertory: BFW 217 (My heart is crushed within me . . . )
or BFW 97 (Judge my cause, O Lord . . . )
Commnion: BFW 456 (Whoever serves me must follow . . . )
or BFW 99 (Father, if I must drink . . . )