April 3, 2025 - Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Artist Sister Mary of the Compassion, OP (1908-1977)

The men in formation to the priesthood go through a sometimes-grueling process – the time of annual evaluations. The seminarian writes a self-evaluation, his mentor writes his evaluation, the faculty discuss the year of formation for the men and then make recommendations for the year ahead. Men pray and hope for something we all in some manner seek: approval. They hope for the approval of the faculty to be recommended to advance to the next year, and for some, to be ordained to the diaconate or priesthood.  

We are all aware of our own need for approval at some point in time. We want to hear words of encouragement, words of inspiration, a message that says: you’re doing a great job; you’re greater than this difficulty; your value is more than just this passing circumstance. Sometimes approval can mean a great deal to us. As a priest, we often hear words of praise and gratitude from parishioners—we might like these moments. I often try to remind myself of what’s truly important by asking them to pray for me and thanking God for the impact of a message I could not have planned. 

It should be clear to us in today’s Gospel that Jesus is not concerned with human approval and praise; He was sent to do the Father’s will. He was sent to love us to the end. In this contentious debate with his opponents today He explains that he has testimony that is greater than their opinion, which they should accept as well. Jesus has the preaching of the Baptist, He has the works He has performed, He has the Scripture itself pointing to him, He has the witness of Moses, and the love of the Father in himself. Lent is a time to be refreshed in the mystery of Jesus and to seek our approval in doing God’s will for the sake of his glory. I am greatly edified when seminarians flourish in the newness of God’s grace for them. I find encouragement in the witness of the many parishioners who bear so much on their shoulders for family and faith. If we first seek God’s approval, then we can show others how good God has been to us. We can help them seek the praise of the Father as the children who do His will.  

We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord, that you may cause us, your servants, corrected by penance and schooled by good works, to persevere sincerely in your commands and come safely to the paschal festivities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Rev. Roberto Ortiz, Director of Liturgy and Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology

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