Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
First Reading
Genesis 17:3–9
Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him,
“Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God.
“You on your part shall maintain my Covenant, yourself and your descendants after you, generation after generation.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104(105):4–9
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Consider the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, the judgements he spoke.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
O children of Abraham, his servant,
O sons of the Jacob he chose.
He, the Lord, is our God:
his judgements prevail in all the earth.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers his covenant for ever,
his promise for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Gospel Acclamation
cf. Psalm 94:8
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel
John 8:51–59
Jesus said to the Jews:
“I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.”
The Jews said, “Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?”
Jesus answered:
“If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, ‘He is our God’
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.”
The Jews then said, “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!”
Jesus replied:
“I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.”
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
Reflection
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the enduring faithfulness of God and the identity of Christ as the fulfilment of every divine promise.
In Genesis, Abram bows before God in reverence and surrender. God establishes a covenant with him, transforming not only his future but his identity. Abram becomes Abraham — “father of a multitude.” This change of name signifies a deeper reality: God’s promise is not momentary but eternal. The Catechism teaches that God’s covenant with Abraham marks a decisive stage in the history of salvation, preparing the way for the coming of Christ and the gathering of all nations into God’s people (CCC 59–61).
The Psalm echoes this truth: “The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.” In Scripture, God’s remembrance is not passive recollection but active fidelity. What God promises, he fulfils. His covenant spans generations, reminding us that faith is rooted in trust in a God who does not change.
The Gospel brings this covenantal promise to its fulfilment. Jesus speaks words that provoke both confusion and outrage: “Before Abraham ever was, I Am.” With this declaration, Jesus reveals his divine identity, echoing the name of God revealed to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). The Catechism affirms that Jesus’ use of “I Am” reveals him as the eternal Son, fully sharing in the divine nature (CCC 590, 600).
Abraham trusted in a promise he could not yet see. The people listening to Jesus struggle to recognise the fulfilment of that promise standing before them. Their reaction — picking up stones — shows how difficult it can be to accept the fullness of truth when it challenges expectations.
Faith often requires us to trust beyond what is immediately visible. Abraham’s journey was marked by trust, obedience, and hope. Jesus invites us into that same trust: “Whoever keeps my word will never see death.” This promise points beyond physical death to eternal life in communion with God (CCC 1020, 1026).
Lent invites us to examine how we respond to God’s covenant in our own lives. Do we trust his promises even when circumstances seem uncertain? Do we recognise Christ as the eternal “I Am” present in our midst?
The God who called Abraham continues to call us today — into faith, into covenant, and into life that does not end.
One line to carry today:
Trust the eternal “I Am,” who remains faithful to his covenant.
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