Fifth Sunday of Lent Year
A
Readings: Ez 37: 12-14;
Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
Life and death; hope and
despair are the key phrases that sum up the message of this Sunday. All three
readings this Sunday lead us to meet Jesus who is not only the water of life
and the light of the world, but also the resurrection and the life. It is around
this central theme of our faith in Jesus as the resurrection and life that the
Church celebrates the third Scrutiny with those preparing for Baptism at
Easter. In the prayer over the candidates this Sunday the celebrant says these
words: "Free from the grasp of death those who await your life-giving
sacraments and deliver them from the spirit of corruption." The purpose of
the third scrutiny is to help the elect candidates to deepen their faith in
Christ who is the life and the resurrection. The readings therefore provide a
sharp contrast between life and death; hope and despair. They also remind us of
real life experiences of the destructive effects of death in real families. We
are reminded of the pain of death of loved ones faced by millions of people all
over the world daily. The prophet Ezekiel in the first reading urges the
devastated nation of Israel to look beyond the destruction of Jerusalem to a
new future, when God’s Spirit will restore Israel. If you are facing grief or conflict
in the family, there is good news for you. The prophet Ezekiel offers hope for
those who believe in the God of life. You and I have many times encountered the
shattering effects of death in the family as I did just one year before my
ordination when I lost my dad in a tragic automobile accident in which 3 others
died with him in 1966.
The Gospel opens with the
announcement that Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, is ill. Jesus’
immediate response is that this illness will not result in the death of Lazarus
but that it will be an occasion for God’s glory to be revealed to all and that
the Son may also be glorified. Even though Jesus had a deep love for Lazarus
and his sisters, he remains in the same place for another two days. By the time
Jesus arrives, Lazarus is already dead for four days. The dramatic episode of
the raising Lazarus to life is a reminder that Jesus is the source of life; he
is the resurrection and the life. Just as in any funeral we have attended,
there are tears the eyes of Mary and Martha as they tell Jesus, that if he had
been there, their brother would not have died. The whole account is a beautiful
catechesis that Jesus offers as the episode develops. On meeting Jesus Martha
says: “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died.” “Your
brother will rise to life,” says Jesus. “Yes, I know that he will rise again on
the last day,” replies Martha, reflecting on Jewish belief of life after death.
Jesus uses the occasion to lead the two women through a gradual revelation of who
he is: "I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even
though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never
die". The passage is a powerful revelation of who Jesus is from his
absolute control over life and death. In other words, Jesus has the power to
transform death into life; to bring hope in the midst of despair; and joy out
of grief. So what message do we take home this Sunday? 1) The good news is that
Jesus is the resurrection and source of life that he promises to anyone who
believes in him. 2) We are led to strengthen our faith in the life after death.
3) Our faith in Christ who transforms death into life has been strengthened in
the liturgy. We are sent to share this good news with others who may be in grief
or in despair and care for them.
©2014 John S. Mbinda
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