FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Gospel: (Matthew 4:1-11)

So Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said to him, "Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me." And when he has said this, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, Untie him and let him go." Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

Reflection:

Jesus promises Martha(and us) that whoever "lives and believes in me will never die." The amazing fact of our living the dying and rising of the paschal mystery is that we already share in this eternal life. We readily see the dying in our everyday lives-the pain, suffering, death, sinfulness, self-emptying, discipline, giving up our wills. This gospel challenges us to see and believe equally signs of the grace of new life-glory, joy, peace, forgiveness, mercy, trust, kindness. Living the paschal mystery draws us to see these dyings and risings as two aspects of the same mystery. The already of eternal life is God's grace already working in our lives. (Living Liturgy, p. 80)

Vincentian Meditation:

"Five years ago Thou didst bring me back almost from death, and was not this delay granted me to do penance and become better? Ah! The prayers that were sent up to Thee then were heard. Why should those that are being offered now, and in so far greater number, on my behalf, be lost? Perhaps Thou wilt answer them, Lord, in another way. Thou wilt give me courage, resignation, peace of soul, and those ineffable consolations that accompany Thy real presence."-Bl. Frederic Ozanam- (Ramson, Praying with Frederic, pp. 108-109)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts after a moment of silence)

       How has God answered your prayers?

Closing Prayer:

O God, you are the healer of souls and so we pray:

       When we are lonely
              -may we feel your presence.
       When we are burdened by worries
              -may we be at peace in your love.
       When we have sinned
              -may we know your forgiveness. Amen