March 26th

March 26, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 (34)
Mr. Julian Ohizu: Campus Minister
The fifth Sunday of Lent's readings explores how God might raise us from the
dead to new life. The first reading describes God's desire to resurrect us. According to
the second reading, we will experience new life just as Christ does if He dwells within
us. The Gospel also describes how Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. This weekend's
themes could include first, new life, and resurrection. This explains God's ability to
raise Lazarus from the dead and instill hope where there was once only despair.
Faith is the second theme. Martha's admission that Jesus is the Messiah, and the
Son of God serves as an illustration of the significance of faith in Jesus Christ. The
third element is Repentance; the necessity to live in accordance with the Spirit and not
the flesh, as stated in Paul's letter to the Romans, and the invitation to repentance and
conversion. The belief in God's mercy is the fourth theme. The Responsorial Psalm's
promise of God's pardon and mercy, as well as the necessity of placing your faith in
God's mercy and abundant redemption is expressed in this theme. The Pascal Mystery
is the fifth element. The Gospel reveals that by bringing Lazarus back to life, Jesus
foreshadows his own resurrection and establishes his authority over death. For
believers, this event is a sign of hope since it illustrates how life triumphs over death.
Grief and sorrow are the sixth topic. The Gospel also serves as an example of the truth
of human sorrow and the agony that comes with loss, as well as of Jesus' empathy and
compassion for people who are grieving.
One of the miracles that present Jesus as the Messiah is the raising of Lazarus.
One feature of the kingdom of God is the resurrection of the dead to new life. This
miracle serves as a sign that extends beyond itself. Beyond Lazarus himself, it makes
a point. Lazarus's resurrection serves as a reminder of Jesus. This miracle is proof that
Jesus is victorious over death and that, if we trust in Him, He can lead us beyond
death. Death, especially eternal death in hell, is fatal if we don't have faith in Jesus
and live daily by that faith.
The Gospel reading for today challenges us to look at our lives as Christians
through the eyes of Lazarus. It's possible that, in some ways, we are also dead to sin.
Jesus Christ is the only one who has the power to reverse both our spiritual and
physical deaths. The Church is urging us to think about how we might graft our lives
more deeply into Christ during this Lenten season so that we may have life in him and
have it abundantly. Furthermore, Jesus performed the miracle both for the benefit of
the people who saw it at the time and for us now. It is for those who understand that
Jesus is the Lord of life and death and that, if we put our faith in Him, the suffering
we go through in this life will also pass away, ending with our lives here on earth,
while we, by our faith in Him, shall rise with Him to eternal life.

Jesus wants to invite us to the fullness of life now, not just at the resurrection
on the last day, but also as we travel on our way to God as individuals, as a Church, as
a school, and as a community, through this Gospel event. Thus, just as Jesus enlists
help from other people to release Lazarus from his bindings, he likewise places
individuals in my life to assist me when I am constrained by problems that limit my
freedom. Likewise, I must assist others who are constrained by numerous ties that
hinder them from living fully both now and in the future.
The clear message from today's readings is that Jesus loves me just as much as
He loves Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Jesus desires for us to share the same level of
intimacy as He did with the three members of the Bethany family. Above all, Jesus
wants to share life's fullness with me right now rather not merely when I'm dead.