Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year A)

Here are the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year A), March 17, 2013:

Ezekiel 37: 12-14
Psalm 130: 1-8
Romans 8: 8-11
John 11: 1-45


"We've got a new Pope, Ms. Cathy!!!!!", one of my young friends declared loudly in the hallway today! There was such excitement in his voice, an excitement echoed by so many Catholics around the world, in recognition of a fresh start, a new beginning-- with all the unknown possibilities this presents.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Easter comes at the time when the Earth brings forth new life: glorious displays of flowers, leaves sprouting on trees, migrating birds and animals returning. The readings for this week speak in a more low-key fashion about new beginnings.

Ezekiel reports the Lord's promise of a new day, a fresh start:

O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them ...
I will put my spirit in you that you may live ...

And the Gospel gives us the long and moving story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We find in this account not only the strength of God to overcome death, but the compassion of God who weeps with us and for us.

• In what ways do you feel like Lazarus, what feels dead in you, how are you bound and unable to free yourself?
• What do you think life was like for Lazarus after that miraculous day?
• How will the celebration of Easter this year mean a new beginning for you?

We will celebrate the Third Scrutiny with the Presentation of the Lord's Prayer at the 11:30AM Mass this Sunday.