6 April 2014
Fifth Sunday of Lent
There is no denying the readings center on the theme of death and resurrection. The first reading is the conclusion of Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). This famous story portrays death (dry bones) being brought into new life (a multitude of people). Moving from the physical body, the brief second reading (Romans 8:8-11) highlights that without the Spirit of Christ, the flesh is dead to sin, but with Christ dwelling in the person, new life is possible.
The Gospel (John 11:1-45) unfolds with the most famous biblical story of a man returning back to life. It is important to note that Jesus was resurrected (given a new body), while Lazarus was resuscitated (returned to the same body). This Gospel portrays certainly one of the most moving scenes as the reader is privy to see the human side of Jesus namely Jesus crying at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35) because of the death of his friend. Too often, we pass over Jesus being hungry in the desert (Matthew 4:2), angry at the money-changers in the Temple (John 2:15), depressed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37), or thirsty on the cross (John 19:28). But is it important to focus on these particular human moments in Jesus’ life, because at these times any human regardless of race, gender, nationality, or orientation, can identity with.
Today, let us focus on our moments of tiredness, sadness, abandonment, or anger, as an opportunity to connect to Jesus. Furthermore, let us remembering we are not alone in these emotions because Jesus also displayed these feelings and through Jesus, we receive healing.