Fifth Sunday of Lent

Readings of the Day

The story in today’s gospel must have been an amazing experience for Jesus’ followers as they stood with him at the tomb of Lazarus.  How do we hear it today?

Jesus instructed the people gathered with him, “Take away the stone.” Martha reacts – “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” But the people take away the stone and Jesus calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb. The dead man, wrapped in burial clothes, comes out and Jesus says again to those gathered with him, “Untie him and let him go.”  Lazarus lives.  Many came to believe as a result of this sign that Jesus was sent by God.

This story is not unlike a lot of life. Life can be stinky. We can find ourselves or those we try to help to be in stinky tombs – fearful, lifeless, and hopeless.  Our churches and society can also be entombed by racism, sexism, cynicism, fear, and hatred.  

What’s fascinating is that Jesus doesn’t take away the stone or unwrap Lazarus from his burial garments. Instead, he commands the people gathered at the tomb to take away the stone and to unwrap Lazarus.  It is the followers of Jesus that are given this responsibility!

I can’t help but think of this gospel in light of the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19.  There is no part of the world that isn’t being impacted. People are being asked and told to stay in their houses to isolate themselves. All day long we are confronted with the numbers – people sick and people dying. Talk about feeling entombed!   

I’m also struck by how neighborhoods around the world are breaking the isolation through singing, music, and exercising from balconies or roof tops, as in my hometown of Baltimore; buying groceries for older neighbors; praying on social media; and so much more.  People are also rejecting any attempts to deny the reality of the virus, to spread hatred by blaming other cultures for the virus– attempts to entomb us and our society.  I agree with Pope Francis when he spoke about the coronavirus. He reminded us that “United in Christ, we are never alone.”

Whether as individuals, parish communities, or Catholic Charities, we are empowered by our baptism to take away the stones that keep us, our communities, our society, and our church, entombed.  As we prepare for Easter, may we be signs of hope instead of fear and despair.  We pray that our actions profess our belief in the power of God’s love to overcome death, even death on a cross.

Kathy Brown worked for Catholic Charities USA as Senior Director of Mission Integration and Catholic Identity from 2008 to 2017. For 40 years she worked in various ministries including the Diocese of Phoenix, parishes, retreat centers, RCIA national team, and Catholic Relief Services. She also served as the Regional Coordinator for Caritas North America for 14 years. She and her husband, Scott, currently live in Baltimore but are moving to Maine in April.   Kathy has an MDiv and MA in Theology from St. Paul University, Ottawa Canada.  [email protected]

Sign up to receive the Daily Lent Reflection emails and other CCUSA messages here.