Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent. Just two weeks until Easter!
The Year A Gospel this week is the Raising of Lazarus. It’s the last of those three special Gospel readings from St. John that are so important to the OCIA. I encourage you to read the story in Jn 11 and then pray this adapted Scrutiny prayer:
“Father of eternal life, who are God not of the dead but of the living and who sent your Son as the herald of life so that you might rescue human beings from the kingdom of death and lead them to the resurrection, free us, we pray, from the deadly power of the evil spirit, so that we may receive the new life of the risen Christ and bear witness to it.
In raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus gave a sign that He had come, that people might have life and have it more abundantly, free us from death, release us from the spirit of wickedness, and endow us with faith, hope, and charity through your life-giving Spirit, so that we may live with you always and share in the glory of your Resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord.”
The Raising of Lazarus is primarily about faith in Jesus. Notice the differences in Martha and Mary’s interactions with Jesus. Note also the role of “the Jews” in this story. Finally, notice Jesus’ emotional reaction to what He finds. That reaction is less about Lazarus’ death, after all Jesus knows He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead, and is more about the lack of faith among Martha and the people.
We are called to trust in Jesus that as God, He can do anything, even raise someone from the dead. Elsewhere in the Gospels we’re told that we must believe in Him. Trust is a result of that belief.
During Lent we are asked to turn away from Sin, fortifying ourselves through a special emphasis on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and growing closer to Christ. I hope you have had a successful Lent in this regard.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week. I’ll be back with you then.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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