22 March 2026

22 March 2026 - Fifth Sunday of Lent - Lazarus, come forth.

Transcript

Write:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. … the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out ….” 

Reflect:

That quote is from the fifth chapter of John, chapter 5 verses twenty-five, twenty-eight and twenty-nine. I wanted to quote that because it points to our gospel reading today almost in anticipation of what Jesus was going to be doing. It also reveals a lot about Jesus’ own story – his own impending death. Both accounts of death of both men speak of the following – pay attention to these parallels:

— a mourning Mary at the tomb (11:31 and 20:11);

— a cave tomb closed with a stone (11:38, 41 and 20:1);

— grave clothes plus a face cloth (11:44 and 20:6–7);

— a special role given to Thomas (by the way, Thomas and Didymus both mean the same thing: twin) (11:16 and 20:24–28).

John has written the story of Lazarus in such a way as to prefigure Jesus’ death and resurrection. So chapter 5 – which I quoted above – points to Chapter 11 – which we had this weekend. And Chapter 11 is meant to prepare the reader for chapter 20, which we will read on Good Friday.

The entirety of John’s Gospel is about a story. It is not telling random events as the apostle remembers them, it is about the story of salvation. Even the first two chapters talk about seven days, mirroring the Genesis creation story, concluding with the wedding feast of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle. 

John’s Gospel needs to be read as a full story.

Deeply hidden in this part of the story is a further truth: that Jesus’ gift of life to Lazarus involves his own death, the offering of his own life. Think about that! Don’t race past it. To love Lazarus and give him life, Jesus must be willing to risk and lose his own life. This he did not just for Lazarus, but for all of us. This trip to Bethany is shadowed by the approaching cross (vv. 7–8, 16, 50–53). The apostle Thomas recognized that when he said, “let us go to die with him.” Keep thinking about that: Jesus’ gift of life to Lazarus involves his own death, the offering of his own life… Sorry. We have to move on. But keep that in mind – for yourself!

Now, this is the last weekend of Lent. Next weekend is Passion Sunday. We will read from Matthew’s story of the Passion next weekend; followed on Friday – Good Friday – with the reading from John’s Passion. John’s Passion story is always read on Good Friday. By the way, have you ever thought it strange that we call the day that Jesus died “Good Friday?” But that really is part of the mystery of this holy season. We cannot have Easter Sunday without Good Friday.

I would like to “enter an advertisement” here. If you have never been to any part of the Holy Week prayers, consider coming to some – if not all – of the events we have from Thursday through Saturday night. Yes, it is a challenge. Yes, these times of prayer take a lot of time. But to experience the full range of the gospel story condensed into just a couple of days is a great way to finish what you have begun with Lent. Those of you who have been travelling this Lent with the Hallow app should be ready for the Triduum of Holy Week.

But now I want to return to part of the quote I gave at the beginning from John chapter 5: “… the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out…”

It was very common to have graves that were shared with many who had died. The idea of individual gravesites as we have them was not normal in Jesus’ day. So Lazarus was probably placed in a tomb where others who had died previously were buried. Now, when Jesus spoke, he said very specifically, “Lazarus, come out!” Had he just said, “come out!,” everybody who had died would have come out! But it was not time for that. As Jesus said, “the hour is coming!” Can you imagine Jesus standing at the gate of the cemetery – actually all cemeteries – and saying, “come out of there!” Yet that is his promise! And he has not failed in any of his promises. But the Resurrection will be different from the resuscitation of Lazarus. We will get new, transformed bodies – like His.

How much should we be wishing for that hour? It is part of the longing of the Church’s entire history. The church has, since its beginning, been crying out, “come Lord, come! – Maranatha!” This is part of the longing that should be in the heart of every believer. And, it should be part of the terror of every nonbeliever.

We wait for the return of our once and future King. Our celebration of Holy Week is meant to get us ready for his return and encourage us to cry out for it. As we reflect on the news of today, with all the war and violence, our prayer needs to be “come Lord, come!” Whether it is at the end of time, or a regeneration of purpose and effectiveness in the church; and a season of successful evangelization, this needs to be our prayer: “come… Lord… come!” I heard of another senseless murder at Loyola University just a few days ago.

As we wait during this last week of Lent for the coming of our King, may we redouble our efforts to live in the grace of God and so bring his kingdom to fruition.

Pray/Praise:

Let us pray.

Lord, you wept at the grave of Lazarus whom you loved. Help us to learn of your love for us. Teach our hearts the truth that you weep with every death. In the Book of Wisdom you even tell us that you did not make death! We may question why you have delayed all these centuries your promised return. But had that happened, we would not have happened. We give you thanks that your patience has enabled us – not just to exist – but to love you. Help us to make the rest of this Lent, and Easter, the best we have ever experienced. Break open our hearts to your love; and not just our hearts, but the hearts of everyone in the world. Amen.

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