March 26. Sunday Lent 5A.  Fr Fidelis started his homily by saying,” Wasn’t that story of Lazarus and his sisters a very long one but a nice one about Jesus and his very good friends.  Lazarus is ill but Jesus doesn’t go there until later when Lazarus has died and the two sisters are mourning and grieving, while there are many visitors in the house too.  It is Martha who says to Jesus, “I know you can ask God to raise him up, but I also know that he will rise at the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus says, “I am the Resurrection and the life”.  He then does go to the tomb and in the name of the Father calls Lazarus to come out.  This story is used to teach something about Jesus, about the Father and the promise of new life.”    

Scripture:  Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?  ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me, I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that you have sent me.’”   From John 11:1-45

Pope Francis:  The New Testament does not only tell us of the earthly Jesus and his tangible and loving relationship with the world. It also shows him risen and glorious, present throughout creation by his universal Lordship. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things.  LS100.  Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father. Jesus of Nazareth by his words, his actions and his entire person reveals the mercy of God.  FM 1

St Francis Canticle:  PRAISED BE YOU,  my Lord, through our Sister bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.   Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.  “What we see in the life of Jesus and the song of Francis is that God does not create for death, annihilation, or frustration butrather to perfect his creatures into the full body of Christ. From Care for Creation (p90-91)

Reflect, share, act, pray.  It is painful to speak about death, that of our loved ones or even our own. This Sunday and this season of Lent for repentance and reconciliation could be a helpful opportunity to air the subject.