Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent
First Reading
Jeremiah 11:18–20
The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned.
O Lord, that was when you opened my eyes to their scheming.
I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house,
not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me,
“Let us destroy the tree in its strength,
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name may be quickly forgotten!”
But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence,
who probe the loins and heart,
let me see the vengeance you will take on them,
for I have committed my cause to you.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 7:2–3,9–12
Lord my God, I take refuge in you.
From my pursuer save me and rescue me,
lest he tear me to pieces like a lion
and drag me off with no one to rescue me.
Give judgement for me, Lord; I am just
and innocent of heart.
Put an end to the evil of the wicked!
Make the just stand firm,
you who test mind and heart,
O just God!
God is the shield that protects me,
who saves the upright of heart.
God is a just judge
slow to anger;
but he threatens the wicked every day.
Psalm Summary:
The Lord is both refuge and judge — protecting the upright while discerning hearts with justice and patience.
Gospel
John 7:40–52
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, “Surely he must be the prophet,” and some said, “He is the Christ,” but others said, “Would the Christ be from Galilee?”
So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, “Why haven’t you brought him?”
The police replied, “There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.”
“So,” the Pharisees answered, “you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? This rabble knows nothing about the Law.”
One of them, Nicodemus — the same man who had come to Jesus earlier — said to them, “Surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing?”
To this they answered, “Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.”
Reflection
Jeremiah’s words are raw and honest. He discovers that people he trusted are plotting against him. He describes himself as a lamb led to slaughter — vulnerable, unaware, exposed. This image later echoes powerfully in Christ (CCC 608), who freely accepts suffering in obedience to the Father.
What stands out is Jeremiah’s response. He does not take justice into his own hands. He entrusts his cause to God, who “probes the loins and heart.” The Catechism reminds us that God alone fully knows the human heart and judges with perfect justice (CCC 679, 1022). When misunderstood or treated unfairly, there is deep freedom in placing our cause in God’s hands rather than grasping for control.
The Gospel shows a similar pattern unfolding around Jesus. Opinions divide. Some are curious, some defensive, some hostile. There is confusion about who he is and where he comes from. The deeper issue is not geography but recognition. Faith requires openness of heart (CCC 153).
Nicodemus quietly models integrity. He does not make a dramatic defence. He simply asks for fairness — a hearing before judgement. In a world quick to label and condemn, this is strikingly relevant. Justice requires listening (CCC 2477–2478 speaks of avoiding rash judgement).
These readings confront us gently but firmly. Truth is not always embraced. Faithfulness may bring misunderstanding. But both Jeremiah and Jesus reveal a deeper posture: remain rooted, remain entrusted, remain aligned with God’s will.
There will be moments when others misread your intentions or question your path. In those moments, the invitation is not to panic or retaliate, but to trust that God sees clearly.
God tests minds and hearts — and he does not forget the upright.
One line to carry today:
Entrust your cause to God — he judges with truth.
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