In preparation for the Paschal Mystery, the 5th Sunday of Lent brings us to the story of the Raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:1-45) from the dead. Lazarus is a brother of Martha and Mary. Lazarus dies. By the time the Lord comes to Bethany, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha and Mary met the Lord, they say, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus says, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” and He affirms that there is life beyond the grave because He has won the victory over death. He is the Life because He leads us to life eternal and gives us the hope for a life in communion with God.
We cannot stay in our tomb of sin and destruction. We need to come out and be loosened from spiritual bondage – jealousy, greedy, anger, hatred, hurt, laziness, etc. so that we may set our path on the discipleship. We need to hold our faith firm in Jesus’ Word and His promises of the resurrection and to understand the reality of death.
Since the Coronavirus outbreak, we are living in a time of uncertainty and crisis. Every day the death toll of COVID-19 is arising throughout the world. It is a time for us to pray, encourage and support one another as we stay at home and keep the social distancing orders at this time of trials. We hope this will pass soon and “joy and celebration” will return. Amen!
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