First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14
Reflection:
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the story of the Old Testament continues in the time period of the Exile. During Lent the Old Testament readings have brought us through the Creation and Fall, the calling of Abraham, the time of Moses and the Exodus, and the anointing of David as king. Now, we hear about the time when the Israelites were in exile in Babylon (6th century B.C.). Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord promised to restore the Israelites “back to the land of Israel.” Yet, this prophecy looked beyond the physical return of the people to the Promised Land (Israel), which came to fruition later that century when the Israelites were released from their exile, returned to Israel, and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. This prophesy from Ezekiel also looked forward to the messianic age, when Jesus would make possible salvation from the exile of sin and a resurrection that would lead God’s people into the true promised land, which is heaven. This resurrection and the indwelling of God’s Spirit are evidenced in the other readings for this Sunday.
Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11
Reflection:
In this reading, the Apostle Paul contrasts the “flesh” and the “Spirit.” The “flesh” does not per se refer to our human bodies. Rather, it is a symbol for our sinful nature. Therefore, “those who are in the flesh cannot please God,” because sin is opposed to God. However, Paul explains that Christians live by the “Spirit,” not by the flesh. The Holy Spirit dwells within us by virtue of our baptism. In baptism, we become dead to sin and alive to Christ. Although we continue to struggle with sin after baptism, we are no longer slaves to sin. Furthermore, God gives us the grace to be able to overcome sin and the Spirit empowers us to walk according to God’s ways, rather than the ways of the “flesh.” The Spirit that dwells in us is the same Spirit that “raised Christ from the dead” and is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, the very power of God is within us to guide us and help us overcome the power of sin, bringing us to new life in Christ.
Gospel Reading: John 11:1-45
Reflection:
The story of the Raising of Lazarus in many ways anticipates the death and resurrection of Jesus, that we will soon be commemorating during Holy Week and Easter. In fact, this event, in part, leads to Jesus’ arrest and execution, because it angered the religious leaders. The reference to Mary as “the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair” (an event that will take place in John 12) shows that Jesus is being prepared for His own death by being anointed for burial. Furthermore, when Lazarus is raised, John makes a point of mentioning the removal of the tombstone and Lazarus’ burial cloths and head covering, which are images that appear again in the description of Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus illustrates His power over death by raising Lazarus, which He will show even more profoundly when He raises Himself from the dead after His crucifixion. Lazarus functions as a representative for all humanity. His death represents the spiritual death that we all face due to sin. Jesus came to raise us out of our spiritual death and breathe new life into us. This is possible by His own death and resurrection. Like Lazarus, Jesus loves us and desires to raise us out of the spiritual death caused by sin, offering us new life in the Spirit. As Jesus proclaimed of Himself, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25-26).
Application:
- Think about sins that you struggle with in your life. How do those sins bring about spiritual death and decay? Jesus wants to breath His life into the “dead” parts of our spiritual lives. Invite Him to fill you with His life-giving Spirit and ask Him to help you say ‘no’ to sin.
- In what ways have you experienced resurrection in your life? In other words, how has Jesus restored you after brokenness, healed your wounds, forgiven your sins, and given you new life?
- Reflect on past experiences in your life when you have seen God bring light into darkness, hope into despair, or good out of suffering. How do those past experiences of seeing God breathe new life into what seemed like a dire situation, help put your current circumstances into perspective?
