Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 29 2020

1st Reading Ezekial 37:12-12 The Lord promises to raise his people from the dead.

2nd Reading Romans 8:8-11 The spirit of the God dwells in us

Gospel John 11:1-45 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

With masses not occurring, you may have missed an opportunity to engage with the Gospel of the day. This week it is about Lazarus. Please enjoy a reflection by Greg Sunter.

Gospel Reflection

The third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent in Year A feature significant passages from the gospel of John. The first of the three readings was the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, to whom Jesus described himself as Living Water. The second was the healing of the blind man and Jesus declaring himself to be the Light of the World. In today’s passage about the death and raising of Lazarus, Jesus declares, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ Living Water; Light of the World; and the Resurrection and the Life – three important images of Jesus that all emerge from the gospel of John. Each of the events relate to Jesus’ response to some physical need: thirst; blindness; and death. However, in each case, Jesus not only responds to the physical need but also reveals a truth about himself that leads people to belief.

The raising of Lazarus marks a turning point in the gospel of John. Chapter 11 concludes with the Jewish authorities plotting to arrest Jesus and then Chapter 12 begins the final week of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem. The significance of this episode is highlighted by the disciples who question Jesus about the wisdom of going back to Judea when the people there had wanted to stone Jesus to death. In going to save the life of his friend, Lazarus, Jesus knows that he is journeying towards his own death. In fact, the end of Chapter 11 makes clear that it is some of the witnesses to the raising of Lazarus who go and complain to the authorities and precipitate the action against Jesus. In the gospel of John, it is the episode with Lazarus that effectively signs Jesus’ death warrant. The gospel makes clear that Jesus gives up his own life so that Lazarus may live.

Mrs Christine Meharg