5th Sunday of Lent

March 26, 5th Sunday of Lent: 

 Liturgy of the Word -- Ezek. 37:12-14; Ps. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Rom. 8:8-11; Jn. 11:1-45. 

 1. The Readings on this last Sunday before Holy Week are rich in meaning for personal reflection and prayer. The key ideas may be grouped thematically: *When in sin, we are like dry bones without life ( Ezek. 37); *We cry out to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness (Psalm 130); *And the Lord, in his mercy and love, raises us to life (Jn. 11); *We now belong to Christ as his disciples (Rom. 8); *And the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and gives new life to our mortal bodies (Rom. 8). *For Christ is "the Resurrection and the life," who will raise us up on the last day (Jn. 11). *We have received his gift of life, love, and mercy (Ezek 37; Ps. 130); *We believe and confess, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God!" (Jn. 11). 

 2. 1st Reading, Ezek. 37: 12-14 -- Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones. In this vision, the Lord brings the prophet to a valley filled with dry bones, representing the exiled Israelites. Ezekiel witnesses the Lord bringing the bones to life with the breath of life (vv. 1-11). "I will make you come out of your graves, my people, and bring you back to the land of Israel. You shall know that I am the Lord" (vv. 12-13). "I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life and I will settle you in your land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken; I will do it - oracle of the Lord" (v. 14). 

 3. Resp. Ps. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 -- the "De Proundis," "Out of the depths," a prayer used liturgically for the faithful departed. We cry out to the Lord for mercy and wait for his forgiveness. The Lord is merciful. 

 4. "Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord keep account of my sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered" (vv. 1-4). A sinner's cry for mercy. "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits for his word... more than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is mercy and plenteous redemption" (vv. 5-8). 

 5. 2nd Reading, Rom. 8: 8-11 -- Christ became incarnate for our redemption. For those who live in Christ, there is no condemnation. We now live according to the spirit of life in Christ and we are concerned about things of the spirit. But those who live according to the flesh are concerned with earthly things (vv. 1-7). 

 6. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God .... and do not belong to Christ" (vv. 8-9). But if you live according to the spirit, the Spirit dwells in you. "If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (vv. 9-10). The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. The same Spirit dwells in you and "will give life to your mortal bodies" (v. 11). 

 7. Gospel, Jn. 11:1-45 -- The account of the Raising of Lazarus is the longest continuous narrative in John outside the Passion account. It leads directly to the decision of the Sanhedrin to kill Jesus. 

 8. The account is multi-layered, rich material for our personal reflection: the immense love of Jesus for Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary; the ways of discipleship shown by the active Martha and the contemplative Mary; the Apostles' lack of understanding; the path to belief for those who witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead; and the words of Jesus to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live" (v. 25); and Martha's confession of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God" (v. 27). 

 9. The miracle itself is simple but still awesome. Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days. Jesus cries out, "Lazarus, come out!" (v. 43). Lazarus comes out, his hand and foot tied with burial bands, and his face wrapped in cloth. So Jesus says, "Untie him and let him go" (vv. 43-44). 

 10. Prayer -- O Lord, our God, out of the depths we cry out to you for your love and forgiveness. Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your Spirit dwell in us, enliven our souls, preserve us from all physical and spiritual harm, and bring us to everlasting life. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Prayers, stay safe, God bless!