Fifth Sunday of Lent

Readings of the Day

Today’s readings are about death, faith, and resurrection. The possibility of resurrection for those who seek Christ. The possibility of resurrection in Christ for those who recognize their sins and come to the Lord for forgiveness and renewal. Ezekiel reminds us that the Lord will come to us in death and share his spirit, and that we shall then be home.

The second reading, from St. Paul, reminds us that we are so much more than the temporary “earth suits” we inhabit while living our short time on earth.  St. Paul rightly notes that those who are solely in the flesh cannot please God. He reminds us that we must welcome and receive the Spirit of Christ, and reassures us that the Spirit of Christ resides in our body despite the sins of our flesh. The Spirit lives on after our flesh, our desires, and our earthly wants and needs fade and disappear. We must tend to this Spirit dwelling within us and look forward to everlasting life with Christ. 

In today’s Gospel, John shares the story of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.  The story demonstrates Jesus’ power over death and reminds us of our need to tend and deepen our faith in Christ.  Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters, send word to Jesus that their brother is gravely ill and ask him to come.  While waiting for Jesus’ arrival, Lazarus dies. Four days later, Jesus comes and raises Lazarus from the dead. He declares to the crowd, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”  Martha immediately expresses deep faith in Jesus and knows that she will rise again as all will who believe in Christ -- even before Jesus raises her brother from the dead. Her sister Mary is slower to voice the deep faith of her sister.  It is only after Lazarus rises from the dead that Mary and others in the crowd came to believe in the everlasting life promised by Jesus. 

Our failure to believe and trust in Christ and his healing powers are the seeds of our sins. We die daily because of our greed, distrust, “othering,” rage, and envy.  We move farther and farther from Christ when we fail to see each man, woman, and child, near and far from us, as a child of God, regardless of orientation, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This is what Jesus taught, and what must guide our daily lives and actions.

In considering today’s readings, I ponder what “deaths” I have experienced in my life and how I have come alive again after reaching out to Christ.  I encourage you to do the same. 

Anna Gallagher is Executive Director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC).

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