Fifth Sunday of Lent
"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live." - John 11:25
The resurrection is not a doctrine. It is a person. And he is standing at the mouth of your tomb.
"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live." - John 11:25
The resurrection is not a doctrine. It is a person. And he is standing at the mouth of your tomb.
Today's Gospel is the last of the three great readings that accompany the scrutinies - the examinations the Church performs over you as you prepare for Baptism.
Week three: the Samaritan woman and living water. Week four: the man born blind and sight. Today, week five: Lazarus and resurrection.
Water. Sight. Life. These are the three gifts of Baptism. Today's is the greatest.
Lazarus has been dead four days. His sister Martha says to Jesus: Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus says: I am the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this? Martha says yes. Then Jesus goes to the tomb, weeps, and cries out: Lazarus, come out! The dead man walks out, still wrapped in burial cloths. Jesus tells the community: untie him and let him go.
This is your story. At the Easter Vigil, you will go into the water carrying death - the old life, the old sins, the old self. You will come out carrying life. Paul says it plainly: if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he will give life to your mortal bodies also.
Baptism is a resurrection. You go under dead. You come up alive. The community helps untie you - your godparents, your sponsor, the parish that receives you. You don't rise alone.
Ezekiel's promise is for you: I will open your graves and have you rise. I will put my spirit in you that you may live.
If your parish celebrates the Third Scrutiny today, you may be called forward again. The community prays over you for deliverance from death itself - not physical death, but the spiritual death that holds you bound. Receive the prayer. Let the bands be loosened. Easter is two weeks away.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Sunday: Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Two weeks. The water is ready. The tomb is about to open. Lazarus, come out.