To live in freedom requires a choice on our part. It means that we have to do the work of Lent and strip away distractions, pretense, agenda, and the masks that we present to the world, to open ourselves to the truth that saves us.

Today the mystery of Christ and the Cross come together in a way truly confounds our expectations and which demands more than a child’s “Bible story” understanding of Jesus.

The liturgy today confronts us with a different reality: the priorities of the Reign of God do not necessarily align with those who have preference or a voice here and now. It is only the one who is innocent—the youthful Daniel and the sinless Christ—who is able to offer right judgment.

As we hear the story of the raising of Lazarus proclaimed on this Fifth Sunday of Lent, Jesus is making a promise to us: God has the power to bring life where there was once death

Mary’s humble acceptance speaks to us of the readiness to accept God’s will, in whatever way it is manifested.

As we take comfort in the prayer of Savior and the mercy that we receive through him, we are also invited to pray for others, even as Moses prayed for his own people.

The Readings today are calling us to a deeper knowledge and love of the One in whom and through whom we discover the fullest expressions of the Father’s mercy and love.

Through the saving action of Jesus, we are empowered to “get up” and to live in freedom, unhindered by the attachments or sins that prevent us from living life and faith to the fullest.

What was more important was who Joseph was: a person of trust who made himself available, open to what God asked of him. He lived his life as a gift.

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent with its rose-colored vestments, we hear the story of the blind man from the Gospel of John. In this story about being enlightened, Jesus gives the gift of sight to a man who was blind from birth.

The liturgy for this Friday of the Third Week of Lent calls us back to the essentials of love of God and love of neighbor.

Lent is a time to ask ourselves hard questions about the quality of our faith commitment and our dedication to the truth.

If we believe in the Revelation of God in Jesus Christ, then we are called to listen to and take to heart his words for us. As the words before the Gospel remind us: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; / you have the words of everlasting life.”

The Prophet Azariah models for us a prayer for mercy and deliverance. The Gospel reminds us of the necessity of extending to others that same mercy for which we pray.

As we reflect on today’s Readings, we see that the work of salvation is God’s initiative. It isn’t our place to dictate who has access to grace and the gifts of God.

In the light of God’s mercy, what seems to be an ending for us, even death, is not the end.

As we continue our Lenten journey and continue to reflect on the quality of our disciple-commitment, spend some time reflecting on the many choices that you make each day.

Drinking from “the chalice” of Jesus means that we have to make this active, self-giving love the guiding force in our lives, holding nothing back, so that others can experience the mercy, love, and freedom that has been freely given to us.

If we are sinners in need of forgiveness, how could we possibly presume to judge others?

Just as the Apostles were offered that transcendent experience of Christ’s divinity on Mount Tabor, the same divine light shines for us, showing us the way forward as we continue our Lenten journey.