5th Sunday of Lent, A, 2008. Print print this page                 
1st reading: a message of hope.
Psalm: the principal penitential psalm: out of the depths..
2nd be interested in spiritual things and to leave the un-spiritual.
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Most OT readings have historical bases, referring to past or future events in history.Today’s words from the prophet Ezekiel refer to the end of exile for the people and the end of foreign occupation for the lands of Israel and Judah. Many parts of the OT can also be seen as predictions not only of historical events but also spiritual changes in the lives of all peoples. The present passage is such a prediction. It predicts a spiritual resurrection of people, when filled with the Spirit of God people will know God and live in his ways.
Looking back from the present day, we see that this has happened to many individuals, much more than we know, but it has not happened to the world as a whole.
Sadly, injustice, oppression, neglect, murder and war are all around us. We, Christians who have been born of the Spirit do not have to be part of all that. We can be in the world but not of the world. We can be just, fair and caring peacemakers regardless of what goes on around us.

The Gospel is about a friend of Jesus dying and being raised to life again. There was a family of three siblings, Martha. Mary and Lazarus. They lived in Bethany, across the valley from Jerusalem. Jesus was always welcome there and he liked to spend time with them.

Jesus knew that Lazarus was ill and he allowed him to die in order to raise him up for everybody to see that he was the giver of life. He states it clearly for every one to hear, that he is the resurrection and the life.
Believing in him brings everlasting life to the believer. Even more than that, the call of Jesus is a promise of more life, a more abundant life, a deeper life. When he called out, Lazarzus, come out! Lazarus was filled with life and moved forward into the light. That is what we can expect every time we respond to the call of Jesus.

 

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