Scripture Reflection, March 22, 2026, Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel, 37:12-14 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

Another long gospel today on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the raising of Lazarus. Because a tomb, an illness followed by death and a resuscitated body figure so prominently in the story, it is easy for us to focus on physical death. But let us look closely at the dialogue in the center of this event. “Martha said to him, ‘I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus told her, ‘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.’ Because we all know very good people who have died, we take Jesus’ words to refer to their eternal life, because their life on this earth has indeed ended. In doing so, we place our emphasis on the future.

But let us focus now on his words, "I am… the life. “ and let us link that to Paul's letter to the Romans, today's second reading. "If the Spirit… dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you. “ What does it mean to be alive in the Lord? To be living the Christ-life while we still draw breath?

By the time you read this, I will have just helped bury my brother-in-law. What a good man! Professionally, he worked for the VA, but, personally, he took a deep human interest in his clients, ensuring their many needs were met. And he was a great dad and granddad. He never missed a gymnastics event, a track meet, a swim meet. He was always there and always encouraging. He took an interest in people. He listened to their stories, congratulating them on their successes and sharing their pain.

We all know people like that and hope and strive to be that kind of person. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “Choose life!” To choose life in the Lord means to choose peace and reconciliation instead of violence and retribution. It means to choose caring for others instead of greed, narcissism and self absorption. It means to love people and use things instead of the other way around!

Just before this gospel begins, the scripture shows the disciples discussing the danger for Jesus to go back to Judea. Thomas says to the others "Let us also go to die with him.“ Today's gospel reminds us also to live in him.

by: Pat Schnee, OPA