FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT APRIL 11, 2025

MASS READING:

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7

R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

My God, my rock of refuge,

my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!

Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,

and I am safe from my enemies.

R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

The breakers of death surged round about me,

the destroying floods overwhelmed me;

The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,

the snares of death overtook me.

R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

In my distress I called upon the LORD

and cried out to my God;

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears.

R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice. 

REFLECTION:

A stone heart, You break,

You cleansed me of my hatred,

Left no stone unturned,

Made them white as snow,

Glued them together with gold,

A new heart you made.

In my distress, I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Through storms, I weather,

Bruised, battered, limbs failing,

Sinking in darkness,

You sent forth a whale,

It keeps me in its belly,

As my safe refuge.

In my distress, I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice. 

Demons claw at me,

Vines from netherworld drag me,

Breaths ragged, clinging

To worldly specters,

Your divine light blasts shadows,

Salvation is here.

In my distress, I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.