5th Sunday of Lent

Our Readings at Mass today go straight to the heart of our Catholic faith. They speak of death, and new life in Christ. In the First Reading, from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:12-14), we heard: “Thus says the Lord God: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” In the Gospel (John 11:1-45), the stone has been rolled back from the tomb of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. Jesus commended that he come forth from the tomb and be released from all the wrappings that bound him up, and then set him free.

Reflecting upon these Readings can cause us to ask ourselves what guides our approach to life – the defeats of the past or the hope for the future? For thus says the Lord through the prophet Isaiah: “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not. See, I am doing something new!” (Isaiah 43:18-19). God wants us to see things afresh – not in our usual ways, but rather in ways that are ever new.

How can we see things anew in our own lives? How can we look at things from a new perspective? One way to begin is to examine those elements in our lives that drag us down and make us feel defeated. If we are not careful, we can be drawn into a sense of extreme pessimism through endless comparisons of ourselves to others and passive resignation to our “fate.” These types of attitudes can dominate our thoughts and prevent us from seeing things the way that God wants us to see them.

Easter, which we will celebrate in a couple of weeks, is the ultimate response to such pessimism and our recognition that for the Christian, there is no ultimate defeat. To be sure, we will suffer temporary setbacks. But defeat? No. Because of Christ’s Resurrection, we can never be totally defeated. I have stated before that the Cross is not a sign of defeat, but a sign of victory. And if that is so, then how much more is victory found in the empty tomb! All that is required of us is to believe in God’s promises, and let our faith in him replace any lack of faith in ourselves.

In restoring life to his friend Lazarus, Jesus offers us hope today. Christ can roll back the stones that entomb our hearts, enabling us to let go of our doubts and defeatism and embrace the glorious freedom of sons and daughters of God. This Easter, let God do something new within you. The Resurrection is God’s promise of new life – not only for Jesus but for all who believe.