FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 31, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT BENJAMIN, DEACON AND MARTYR | Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family! Happy Monday Fourth Week of Lent.
We thank God for the gift of life and for bringing us successfully to the end of the month of March. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey. 🙏🏽
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/31/catholic-daily-mass-27/
DAY 23: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/31/day-23-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT BENJAMIN, DEACON AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY: MARCH 31st: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr, a fearless preacher of the Gospel who suffered brutal persecution for his unwavering faith (Patron Saint of Preachers and Evangelists).
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Benjamin, we pray for all those who proclaim the Gospel especially our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and all religious ministers. May they be strengthened in their mission, filled with the Holy Spirit, and remain steadfast in their service to Christ.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | March 31st | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to detailed history of the lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/)
SAINT BENJAMIN, DEACON AND MARTYR (329-424): Saint Benjamin was a deacon in Persia (modern-day Iran) during the brutal Christian persecution under the Sassanid rulers Yazdegerd I and his son Varahran (Varanes). The Christian community had enjoyed a brief period of peace, but persecution reignited in 420 when a bishop, out of righteous zeal, destroyed a Zoroastrian temple. In retaliation, the Persian king ordered the execution of the bishop and the destruction of Christian churches, launching a forty-year-long persecution.
Among those who suffered was Saint Benjamin, who was imprisoned for his faith. The Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II negotiated his release on the condition that he would cease preaching. However, Benjamin boldly declared:
“I cannot possibly do that. Those who hide the talent they have received will be given over to greater suffering.”
Refusing to be silenced, he continued to proclaim the Gospel. Enraged by his defiance, King Varanes ordered his arrest once again. This time, he was subjected to excruciating tortures—sharp reeds were driven under his fingernails and into the tender parts of his body, then cruelly pulled out. Despite enduring this horrific pain multiple times, Benjamin remained steadfast in his faith. Eventually, he was impaled on a knotted stake, which was forced through his body, leading to his martyrdom in 424 A.D.
Saint Benjamin’s unwavering faith and fearless proclamation of the Gospel serve as a powerful reminder that our faith is not meant to be hidden but boldly shared, even in the face of suffering.
PRAYER: Almighty and ever-living God, You strengthened Saint Benjamin with unwavering courage to proclaim Your Gospel even unto death. Through his intercession, grant us the boldness to witness to our faith in word and deed. May we stand firm in our beliefs, no matter the trials we face, and proclaim Your truth with love and confidence. Amen 🙏🏽
Saint Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent | March 31, 2025
Reading 1, Isaiah 65:17-21
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13
Gospel, John 4:43-54
Gospel Reading ~ John 4:43-54
“Go, your son will live”
“At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When He came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then He returned to Cana in Galilee, where He had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when He came to Galilee from Judea.”
In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus was critical of those who would not believe unless He did signs and wonders in response to their bidding. In the course of the Gospels several people come up to Jesus and demand a sign before they will believe in Him. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus addresses an official at the court of Herod as one such person, ‘You will not believe unless you see signs and wonders’. However, the royal official believed without waiting for Jesus to perform the sign, the miracle of the healing of his son. There are two signs our Lord Jesus Christ performed at Cana. The first sign being Jesus’ changing of water into wine at the wedding feast and today’s Gospel reading is the second and less well known of the two signs. In the first Cana scene, the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary showed great trust in Jesus’ word, ‘Do whatever He tells you’, she told the servants. In this second Cana scene, the royal official also showed great trust in Jesus’ word. When Jesus said to him, ‘Go home, your son will leave’, according to the Gospel, ‘the man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way’. He did what Jesus told him, he went home, trusting Jesus’ promise that his son would live. The royal official believed and trusted Jesus’ word, without needing to first see the cure that he so desperately wanted for his son.
As Jesus earlier said, ‘you people, you Galileans, will not believe unless you see signs and wonders’. Here was a Galilean who did not need to see signs and wonders before he believed. He believed on the basis of Jesus’ word of promise, and, having believed, he then saw signs and wonders, the sign and wonder of his son’s healing. His son was healed exactly at the very moment that the Lord told the official that his son would be well. The Lord made an important point here for all the people and also for all of us, that we must truly believe in God and have faith in Him. In many ways this royal official is a model for all of us. Like him, we are all called to believe, without insisting on first seeing signs and wonders. We are to believe what Jesus says, and on the basis of that to keep setting out on our way. We are called to take Jesus at His word, as this man did, and to allow the Lord’s word to sustain us on our pilgrim journey. If we allow ourselves to be shaped and guided by the Lord’s word, we too will discover new life in unexpected places, just like the royal official who, on setting out in response to the Lord’s word, discovered on arriving home that his son was well again. This was the kind of faith the mother of Jesus called for at the wedding feast of Cana. If we take the Lord at His word, if we surrender to the Lord’s word of call and promise, we too, like the royal official, will come to see signs and wonders. Having taken the Lord at His word, we will see the Lord at work in a life-giving way, in our own lives and in the lives of others. The Lord has given us something wonder-full in His word. His word is often a word of promise, as it was for the royal official. It can also be a word of comfort, a word of call, or a word of challenge. Whatever form it takes, in the expression of one of the psalms, the Lord’s word will always be a lamp for our feet and a light for our steps.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Faith is at the heart of today’s Gospel. The royal official approached Jesus in desperate hope, seeking healing for his dying son. Unlike the crowds who demanded signs, this man chose to trust Jesus’ words, even without seeing immediate proof. His journey back home became an act of faith, and his trust was rewarded when he learned that his son was healed at the very moment Jesus spoke. This passage challenges us to believe in God’s power even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Do we trust in Jesus’ promises, or do we demand visible proof before we believe? True faith rests not on signs but on trust in the Lord’s word.
In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, the Lord told all of His people of the reassurances of the coming of the good times when they would no longer suffer and when they would once again be filled with God’s grace and blessings. This message came at a time when the people of God had suffered a lot of sufferings, humiliations and difficulties, all because they had disobeyed against Him and refused to follow His Law and commandments. This resulted in the consequences and punishments that they had to endure, as God’s grace and guidance were withdrawn from them, and they had to contend with many obstacles and challenges from their neighbours and enemies. They experienced the results of their own folly in rejecting the generous love of their Lord and Master in exchange for worldly goods and riches. According to the reading, there is also another, even greater promise and reassurance from God of the new heavens and the new earth. Linking to the Book of Revelations of St. John the Apostle, which was actually a premonition of the end times, of the moment when God would remake all things, and renew the whole of Creation, when He would judge the Heavens and the earth, and take into account all of those living and the dead, everyone who have ever lived. This moment of reckoning was a hope to all those who have kept their faith alive in God, and who have suffered because of this faith, as the Lord promised to all of them that as long as they have been faithful to Him and full of trust in Him, then in the end, He shall lead them all to the new heavens and earth, to a life of perfection and bliss, when they shall not experience any more sufferings and sorrows. This is an affirmation of everything which the Lord has always told and promised to His people, that He would always be with them, guiding and protecting them, providing and strengthening them throughout all of their journey and ways. He wants each and every one of them eventually to return to Him, to be fully reconciled and reunited to Him, to be once again in His Holy Presence, casting aside their sins and wickedness, to be forgiven from all those evil deeds and actions. God has always been patient in guiding and correcting the mistakes and faults of His beloved ones, and He has called on all of them, and hence, all of us to come once again towards Him, that we may reject our sinful and wicked ways, becoming once again truly worthy of the Lord in all things, in our every actions, words and deeds.
Reflecting on today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesies a new creation, where sorrow and suffering will be no more. God promises a future of joy, renewal, and life—a world where weeping is replaced with rejoicing. This vision reminds us that God is always working toward restoration, even when we cannot yet perceive it. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to let go of past burdens and embrace the newness God offers. The things of the past will not be remembered, God calls us to live in the joy of His creation.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist rejoices in the Lord’s saving power, proclaiming, “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.” Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. This psalm assures us that no suffering is permanent in God’s hands. When we call on Him, He transforms our mourning into dancing. Are we willing to trust Him even in our darkest moments, believing in the joy that is to come? Do we trust in Jesus’ words even when we do not see immediate results? Like the royal official, are we willing to take Jesus at His word and act in faith? Are there areas in our lives where we are holding onto past sorrows instead of embracing the joy God promises? Today, let us renew our trust in Jesus’ words, even when our prayers seem unanswered. Faith is not about seeing it is about believing. May we walk in the confidence that God is always at work, bringing new life and joy to those who trust in Him.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded that each and every one of us should always focus our attention on the Lord our God, and believe in Him, putting our trust and faith in Him, in all the things which He has said and promised to us. God has revealed to us the assurances of His love and grace, and everything which He has promised us, and we should follow Him in all of our ways and in every moments of our existence. We are reminded that it is in God alone that we truly have hope and assurance of salvation and eternal life, and there is no way forward if we seek to follow other alternative paths that the world has offered to us. May the Lord, our most loving Creator, Father and Master continue to love us all always, and may He continue to encourage and strengthen us in our every resolve and efforts so that in all the things we say and do, in our every moments in life, we may always strive to be worthy of Him, and continue to walk ever more righteously and faithfully in His path. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless our every good efforts, endeavours and works, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You are the source of life and joy. Increase our faith, that we may trust in Your word even when we cannot see the outcome. Help us to believe in Your power to heal, restore, and renew our lives. May we walk in faith like the royal official, knowing that Your promises are true. Transform our sorrows into joy and help us embrace the newness You offer. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we honor Saint Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr, and reflect on today’s scripture, we pray for the Church, especially Pope Francis, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and all who proclaim the Gospel, that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and remain steadfast in their mission. We ask for the grace to be courageous witnesses of Christ, never hiding the light of the Gospel out of fear. May those who suffer persecution for their faith find strength and perseverance through God’s grace. In this Lenten season, may we embrace our sacrifices with patience and trust in God’s plan. We also bring before the Lord our personal intentions, asking for His mercy and guidance in our lives. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY
My merciful Jesus, Your love for us is beyond what we will ever fathom. Your generosity is truly great. Help me to believe in You and to embrace Your holy will both in good times and in difficult ones. Help me, especially, to be open to the gift of faith, even when Your presence and action in my life seems silent. May those moments, dear Lord, be moments of true interior transformation and grace. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
O God, You granted Saint Benjamin the courage to proclaim Your Word even in the face of death. Through his intercession, strengthen our faith, that we may not be silenced by fear or discouraged by trials. As we continue our Lenten journey, may we draw closer to Christ, embracing His will with trust and perseverance. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may boldly proclaim Your truth in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled and fruitful fourth Week of Lent ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
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