THEME: DO YOU BELIEVE?

(Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45)

Today’s reading is dominated by the theme of resurrection and after life. Ezekiel in the first reading prophesies of the day when the Lord will raise the remnants of Israel from the graves and return them into their own soil.  Paul picks up the theme of resurrection in his letter to the Romans; assuring us that the fact of Jesus’ resurrection is a guarantee for all; since the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is also living in us.

In the Gospel, the resurrection theme climaxed with the story of raising Lazarus and the discussion between Jesus and his two sisters. Here, we could see Jesus’ compassionate identification with the sorrowing family of Bethany.

Remember the remark of Martha to Jesus at His belated arrival; “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died”.  “But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask if him”. The reason for such belief in Jesus comes from her conviction that whatever He asks of God- even now- will happen. She confesses a faith in Jesus that recognized that God is the source of Jesus’ powers. However, Jesus drew the attention of Martha back to the basic and the essential by saying; “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die”. “Do you believe this?” Like Martha answered hers’, let us individually answer for ourselves.

Lent is nearing its end. As Lazarus was called back to life through the power of God living in Jesus; God calls us again to change. May we resurrect! If we feel we are too settled to change, if we fear we have been too long in the grave of unselfish life, hardness, sadness, God can help us with his power. Lazarus came to life not by his own power but by the power of God. Therefore, we must bring all our fears and frailties to God in prayer. Martha brought her sadness to the Lord and her sadness was transformed into a faith-experience, that her brother was not dead but alive with God.

So instead of living in fear, sadness, uncertainties, let us bring our deepest fears and deadly darkness to God. God’s power combined with our Lenten sacrifices can transform the present situations; can turn the waters of chaos in our life into wonders of creation.

God we bring all our fears to you. Give us hope that never fails. Shelter your people with good health especially our frontline workers, and bestow healing on all the sick and on our land.

Happy Sunday!

AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (Pray during the time for communion)

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You have already come, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen