Catholic Reflections – Friday 27 March 2026, Friday of the 5th week of Lent, John 10:31-42

On Friday, 27 March 2026, the Church celebrates the Friday of the 5th week of Lent. In John 10:31-42, Jesus faces rejection and accusations of blasphemy because He claims to be the Son of God. Despite this, He invites us to believe in His works as a sign of His divine mission and relationship with the Father. Many come to believe in Him even where John the Baptist had first baptized. This passage encourages faith in Jesus’ identity and the power of His works.

Catholic Reflections – The Father Is in Me

Date: Friday 27 March 2026

Liturgical: Lent

Title: Friday of the 5th week of Lent

Outline:

• Opening prayer

• Full Gospel reading (word for word)

• Key points

• Concluding prayer

• Tags

Gospel – John 10:31–42 (full reading, word for word):

They sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

At that time: The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, ‘John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.

Key Points:

1. Jesus’ works reveal the Father

His actions—healing, teaching, loving—are signs of God’s presence.

2. The challenge of belief

Even when truth is visible, hearts can remain closed. Jesus invites belief through His works.

3. Unity with the Father

“The Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Jesus reveals a profound divine unity.

4. Rejection and persistence

Despite attempts to arrest Him, Jesus continues His mission faithfully.

5. Witness leads to faith

The testimony of John the Baptist helps others recognise the truth and believe.

6. Faith grows through encounter

Those who come to Jesus with openness begin to believe in Him.

Concluding Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

help us to see Your works

and recognise the presence of the Father in You.

Open our hearts to believe,

even when we struggle with doubt.

Give us the grace to trust in Your truth

and to follow You faithfully.

Strengthen us when we face resistance or misunderstanding,

and keep us rooted in Your love.

May we, like those who came to You,

grow in faith and proclaim

that all You say is true.

Amen.

Tags: Catholic, Lent, 5th Week of Lent, Friday, John 10, Son of God, Father and Son, Faith, Belief, Works of Jesus, Witness, John the Baptist, Truth, Unity with God, Discipleship, Conversion, Daily Gospel, Catholic Podcast, Catholic Reflections