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Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 13, 2005
Reflection prepared by Sister Mary Victor Kercher, OSB
Readings:
- Ezekiel 37:12-14
- Romans 8:8-11
- John 11: 1-45
Reflection:
We are in the 5th week of Lent, the joyful walk toward Holy Easter. Joyful walk, you say! It is St. Benedict who tells us that our whole life ought to be a Lenten observance. A careful reading of Chapter 49 in the Rule of Benedict will tell us that the observance should be one of JOY in the Holy Spirit, looking forward to holy Easter with JOY and spiritual longing. No notion of sadness there.
A quick look at the previous Sundays of Lent will show experiences to be glad about: Jesus is tempted, so are we. Isn’t an encouraging thing to have the example of Jesus showing us how to deal with the temptations in one’s life. We see Jesus transfigured. Let us see the brightness of Jesus as a sign of our own transfiguration following a life of faithfulness to Jesus teaching and example! A woman thirsty for water meets Jesus at the well. Even in his own thirst, Jesus becomes for her the font of living water. That font of living water is ours to drink from. Have you done so lately?
A man born blind receives the gift of sight, not because he asked, but rather because in simple faith he followed the rather strange prescription of Jesus for healing. All the controversy that followed gave the man the opportunity to speak boldly about his new gift and affirm his faith, his belief in Jesus.
Now we receive a lesson for the crowning event. From death to life. Lazarus is sick, Martha gets word to Jesus. He arrives late. Martha, her sister Mary, the crowd and now Jesus are experiencing grief. Listen to the conversation: "My brother is dead. Your brother will rise. I know he will rise on the last day. 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. Do you believe this? Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. Take away the stone. There will be a stench. Didn’t I tell you if you believe you will see the glory of God. Lazarus, come out! (The dead man came out tied hand and foot with burial bands.) Untie him and let him go.” And many believed in him.
Jesus lived and died and was raised from the dead that we might have life in abundance.
Does my / your spirit lack life? Am I / are you, tied up in some sin, some behavior, some addiction, and some fault that keeps me/you from being truly alive? . Do I / do you believe, like Martha and Mary, that Jesus is the Son of God, Resurrection and Life? Am I / are you ready to hear Jesus saying, “Come out” and allow ourselves to be untied, to let go, to be once again alive in the grace of God? Arise, you who are asleep and Christ will enlighten you.
Be joyful, look forward with joy and spiritual longing in the remaining days of your walk to holy Easter.
Our Father
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