Lenten Reflections

The long, densely layered account of the raising of Lazarus evokes many questions for anyone pondering this Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent, participating in the baptism of the elect during the Easter Vigil, or attending a funeral.

Today’s readings invite us to examine how we make significant choices. They offer Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an example for reflection. "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you…You have found favor with God" (LK 1:28, 30).

With Good Friday two weeks from today, the Church selects readings focusing on the hour when Jesus offered his life on the cross.

As God decides not to punish His people for their idolatry, so Jesus has not come to judge the world but to save it.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life.” With the sacrament of baptism, Christians live out these words, being crucified with Christ and rising to eternal life (Gal. 2: 20).

In Ezekiel’s vision, the water was not simply coming from the temple in any direction but toward the east. The crucifixion of our Lord is, by no means, the end of the story.