The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, March 13, 2005
Fifth Sunday of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm 130:1-8
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I was not there, that you may believe. (see John 1:15)

Jesus instructs, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.... Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him...." We learn that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days when Jesus replied to Martha's faith-filled hope that Lazarus will rise. Jesus said, "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 1:25)

Jesus publicly presents His thanksgiving to the Father who always hears Him as a witness to encourage belief in those who "see." He calls Lazarus to Life, instructing the witnesses to untie him and let him go.

Jesus intends that we clearly see Who Life is; that Life is in Him, and that that Life never ends. Jesus desires for us to hear His call to Life, to untie ourselves from what binds us to death: that is, sin. We must choose to believe and then act on this belief in order to have Life eternal. Let us likewise give thanks to our Father, as we confess our sins and profess:

Through Him,
with Him,
and in Him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours almighty Father,
forever and ever.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2005 The Way, The Truth, The Life

posted by joachim at 5:20 AM