John 11:45-46

Ezekiel 37:21-28

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13

John 11:45-46

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary

and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him.

But some of them went to the Pharisees

and told them what Jesus had done.

So the chief priests and the Pharisees

convened the Sanhedrin and said,

“What are we going to do?

This man is performing many signs.

If we leave him alone, all will believe in him,

and the Romans will come

and take away both our land and our nation.”

But one of them, Caiaphas,

who was high priest that year, said to them,

“You know nothing,

nor do you consider that it is better for you

that one man should die instead of the people,

so that the whole nation may not perish.”

He did not say this on his own,

but since he was high priest for that year,

he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,

and not only for the nation,

but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

So from that day on they planned to kill him.

So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews,

but he left for the region near the desert,

to a town called Ephraim,

and there he remained with his disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near,

and many went up from the country to Jerusalem

before Passover to purify themselves.

They looked for Jesus and said to one another

as they were in the temple area, “What do you think?

That he will not come to the feast?”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you instituted the feasts of Israel to sanctify the year and to look forward to their fulfillment in your Son. I hope that my year, weeks, and days may continue to be sanctified by prayer and liturgy. 

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Prophecy of Caiaphas: The Gospel of John makes a subtle but important contrast between the high priesthood of Caiaphas and the high priesthood of Jesus. John points out that Caiaphas was “high priest for that year.” In this way, he indicates that Caiaphas’ claim to the high priesthood was very suspect. Instead of reigning for life, high priests, in Jesus’ day, were often appointed by the civil authorities. At the same time, John notes that Caiaphas still exercised a prophetic role. Although Caiaphas was thinking solely in earthly terms, about one man dying so that the nation did not perish, his words are profound when applied to the death of Jesus: Jesus, the innocent Son of God and Son of Mary, dies for us, so that we might live. It truly is better that Jesus takes upon himself our sin and endures the curse of the Old Covenant so that he can forge an unbreakable New Covenant. Caiaphas did not perceive the prophetic depth of his words. Even when the priests call out at the foot of the Cross, “his blood be on us and our children,” they did not know the prophetic depths of their words. They thought they were claiming that they were just in crucifying Jesus. But what they actually said was, “We need to be washed clean by the blood of the lamb.” May his blood be on us and wash us clean!

2. Desert Dwelling: In the three months leading up to his final Passover, Jesus spent time with his disciples in the desert. During this time, he only left the wilderness to go to Bethany to restore his friend Lazarus to life. The town of Ephraim was about 13 miles north of Jerusalem. But it was near the desert and allowed Jesus to spend time with his disciples before his passion, death, and resurrection. He had much to teach them about how they were to exercise leadership in the Church. The other three Gospels emphasize how Jesus taught lessons about poverty, fidelity in marriage, and humility. His disciples are to take up their daily cross, be detached from the things of this passing world, be faithful in love, and humbly serve their brothers and sisters.

3. The Third Passover: Many of the events of the Gospel of John are connected to the Jewish Feasts. In particular, John highlights three Passovers. At the first Passover, Jesus cleansed the Temple and spoke with Nicodemus about the need to be reborn of water and the spirit. At the second Passover, Jesus multiplied the bread and spoke to his disciples about the Eucharist, the bread that gives eternal life. At the third Passover, Jesus will transform the old rite through his sacrifice. He will be the lamb that is sacrificed. His body will be the unleavened bread that is shared. His blood will be the chalice of wine that is drunk. This is the way that we will share Jesus’ one effective sacrifice throughout time until he comes again! Every mass is a new Passover and thanksgiving for the saving action of God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the true high priest, who is meek and humble of heart, poor in possessions, but rich in the Spirit. You loved your Bride the Church and gave your life to sanctify her and wash her clean.

Living the Word of God: Am I truly thankful for what God has done by sending his Son to save me from sin and death and to reign as our royal high priest? How have I lived this lent? Was it forty days spent with Jesus in the wilderness? Has it been full of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving?