Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2023

SCRIPTURE
John 11:1-45

PREACHING

Sister Marie Lucek, OP

What a dramatic scene we have in today’s Gospel. Everyone follows Jesus, Mary, and Martha to the tomb, wondering what Jesus could possibly do for a man who has been dead for four days. The stone is rolled back, and in a loud voice Jesus says, “Lazarus, come out!” Then Lazarus, covered from head to toe in burial cloths, comes out. What a sight he must have been and what a shock to all who are there. They have just witnessed the impossible.

“Untie him and let him go.” These are the first words Jesus speaks to Lazarus. He has given back to Lazarus not only his earthly life, but a second chance. All that bound him in the past has been loosened. He has been born anew!

What does this say to us? We are given a second chance every time we are willing to let go of all that binds us. What is it that binds us; is it fear of the future, a feeling of loss, anxiety, resentment, a lack of openness to new possibilities? We are getting close to Easter when we will be reminded of our baptism, the first time each of us was born anew. Let us all look to what binds us today, so we can let go of what keeps us from being truly free. Then we will be able to celebrate our new life on Easter Sunday with all the newly baptized.

by Sister Marie Lucek, OP