Fifth Sunday of Lent Homily
Our Gospel readings have helped us on our spiritual journey this Lent. They have revealed to us, little by little, important aspects of who Jesus is. It is much like getting to know a person. Slowly, over the course of time, that person will reveal certain facts about himself or herself. However, his or her behavior will reveal more, such as “actions speak louder than words.” After a while, we can get to know a person fairly well. It is through these Gospel readings that we can come to know Jesus better.
Two weeks ago, we heard about the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn 4). Jesus asked her for a drink. Jesus was really thirsting for her faith. He told her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who was saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” In Jesus’ thirst for her faith, He in turn would have quenched her thirst for eternal life. Faith in Jesus would lead to a share in His life-giving Spirit, a life-giving Spirit that will never run dry.
One week ago, we heard how Jesus had healed the man born blind (Jn 9). Jesus not only gave the man the ability to see physically but also the ability to see spiritually. Faith and the ability to see spiritually are directly related. To be able to see spiritually with the eyes of faith helps us to perceive beyond the material world. It helps us to with the eyes of faith helps us to perceive beyond the material world. It helps us to elevate our senses beyond the physical, to contemplate the mysteries of God. With the eyes of faith, we are no longer held bound by this world. We are now able to participate in a limited way in the life of heaven. Does this sound farfetched? We do this at every Mass. Our faith allows us to believe that the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus during the consecration at the altar. Jesus wants us to see with the eyes of faith and believe because He has much to offer us.
What does our Gospel reading today reveal about Jesus? (Jn 11:1-45) We can see His great concern for Martha and Mary. We heard, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” When Jesus came to Bethany, the tears of Martha and Mary moved Jesus to tears. Jesus was filled with compassion and emotionally moved by their grief. As both Martha and Mary said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Well, now Jesus was there, and He did do something about it. Jesus told Martha, “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.” Jesus proved this. At the command of Jesus’ voice, Lazarus rose and came out of the tomb. Jesus is always moved with compassion for those who mourn the loss of a loved one. Jesus wants to assure everyone who suffers from grief that there is another and a better life on the other side for those who believe and trust in the promises of God.
We heard in the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, “If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead 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.” (Rom 8:8-11) We are united to God through our baptism. It is through this union that we are raised up into heaven (or purgatory for those who might need further purification) when our earthly life comes to an end. If we become separated from God because of mortal sin, and we die in a state of mortal sin, then we will be eternally separated from God. We will not be raised up because we have separated ourselves from God. We always want to stay united with God, which is why the sacrament of reconciliation is so important. If we die in a state of grace, then we will be united to God and raised up. The Spirit of God dwelling in us is the spring of life-giving water welling up to eternal life. Believe with all your heart because eternal life waits for those who keep the faith. “I am the resurrection and the life,” says the Lord. “Whoever believes in me will never die.” Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He has conquered sin and death. He has overcome the grave. Death no longer has the last word. Life everlasting is offered to those who believe and give their lives to Christ.
“O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them . . . O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live . . . thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.” (Ez 37:12-14).
Fr. Tim Ilgen
