Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45
From Death to Life (Resurrection)
As we draw closer to the end of Lent, The readings for the 5th Sunday clearly speak about Death and Life. The readings tell us God’s desire to bring back to life, if Christ dwells in us, there is a new life and an example of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
First Reading:
The people of Israel, during this time of exile are spiritually dead, despaired and without any hope of revival. Therefore , In this context through the prophet Ezekiel God has given a vision of valley filled dry bones, which represent the situation of the people of israel and God opens the grave and raises the dead ( in a way physically) The Lord has promised that
He would revive their hopes putting the spirit within them , give them purpose
He would restore them to life, bringing them back to their land.
It is in reference to A prophecy and promise of spiritual renewal or resurrection of Jews. However this perfectly fits Jesus Christ, who would breathe a new spirit into his followers, revive the hope and give a new land to live.
Gospel: Physical death and Resurrection
The Gospel today presents to us the death of Lazarus and Jesus rising from death. This incident perfectly depicts the humanity and divinity of Christ and also the reality of pain and suffering that comes with loss of a loved one.
He expresses his deep concern and compassion for Martha and Mary for the loss of their brother.
He also weeps openly expressing his grief over the death of his friend Lazarus.
Faith and Life: he prays to the Father, and proceeds to call Lazarus from the tomb, which demonstrates his power over death and life, and his divinity. This has led many to believe in him. A reminder for us to believe in him who has authority and power over life and death. Faith is the key here, as expressed by Martha in today’s Gospel that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God, so also if we have faith like Martha even if we die, we will live(will have new life/resurrection)
From Bonds to freedom: Jesus tells that once Lazarus comes out from the tomb, “unbind him, and let him go free”. For all those Jesus loves, he wants today to liberate us from all that bonds of sin and death. Therefore, we have to reflect, what are those attitudes, addictions, fears and situations from which today we need to be freed.
From Death to Life: Lazarus was dead but Jesus raised him. Today we have to reflect on ourselves. What is dead in me, is it my faith, my hope, my ability to love and to show concern, & empathy. Everything can be brought back to life, if the power of the spirit and Jesus is in me, as St. Paul tells in the Second reading of the day.
Second Reading: Paul teaches that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God, because we are hostile to God, do not submit to his word and controlled by sinful living (dead to God but slavery to Sin, but those who live according to the Spirit have the Spirit of Christ within them and will have life. This is because we are constantly being sanctified and transformed with power of the spirit not in bondage of sinful attitudes. Therefore, he calls us today to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and live.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we can conclude by saying
God tells, “ I have promised and I will do it”, and We hear Jesus say in the gospel: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” This assures us everything we hope for, trust in him and everything turns into new life.
God loves us, as he loved the people of Israel and Lazarus
He calls us out of our death into new life. Therefore for us who believe death is not the end, but a gateway to return to God.
The resurrection of Jesus which is victory of life over death points towards us to hope in Him
“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
