5th Sunday Of Lent – Year A - Theme: "Come Out!” – Christ The Resurrection And The Life Series

5th Sunday of Lent – Year A

Theme: “Come Out!” – Christ the Resurrection and the Life

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12–14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130

Second Reading: Romans 8:8–11

Gospel: John 11:11–45

________________________________________

1. Introduction

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we approach Holy Week, the Church places before us not a small miracle or a symbolic act, but a confrontation with death itself.

In today’s Gospel, Lazarus is not sick.

He is not unconscious.

He is not dying.

He is dead.

Four days in the tomb.

The stone is sealed.

Hope is buried.

And into that sealed darkness, Jesus cries out:

“Lazarus, come out!”

Today’s Gospel is not just about Lazarus.

It is about every one of us.

Because every human heart knows what it means to feel buried.

________________________________________

2. The Cry of the Human Heart

What is the hidden cry of our people today?

Many are alive outwardly — but feel dead inwardly.

• A marriage that feels lifeless.

• A prayer life that feels dry.

• A faith that feels weak.

• A heart burdened by guilt.

• A habit that refuses to change.

Some are silently saying:

“It is too late for me.”

“Nothing will change.”

“I have tried and failed.”

That was Martha’s cry:

“Lord, if You had been here…”

How many times have we said that in our hearts?

“Lord, if You had answered earlier…”

“Lord, if You had prevented this…”

Today, Jesus answers that cry.

________________________________________

3. The Message of Today’s Readings

(1) First Reading – Ezekiel 37

Israel is in exile. Jerusalem destroyed. Temple burned. They say:

“Our bones are dried up. Our hope is lost.”

They feel finished.

And God says:

“I will open your graves.”

Notice: God does not say, “Try harder.”

He says, “I will act.”

Resurrection begins with God.

St. Jerome once said:

“Despair is the devil’s greatest weapon.”

Exile had produced despair.

But God promises restoration.

Some people today are living in exile — not from a country, but from joy, from peace, from faith.

God says to them:

“I will open your grave.”

Not maybe.

Not if you deserve.

But I will.

________________________________________

(2) Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 130

“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord.”

This is not a polite prayer.

This is the cry of someone drowning.

“If You mark iniquities, who can stand?”

The Psalm teaches humility.

But then comes hope:

“With the Lord there is mercy.”

Not punishment first — mercy first.

St. Augustine said:

“The tears of repentance are the wine of angels.”

When we cry from the depths, God does not ignore us.

He listens.

________________________________________

(3) Second Reading – Romans 8

St. Paul tells us something powerful:

“The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.”

Dwells in you.

The same Spirit that raised Christ

is not far away —

He lives within the baptized.

That means resurrection is not only for the future.

It begins now.

When:

• A sinner repents,

• A proud heart humbles itself,

• A person forgives,

• A habit begins to break,

Resurrection is happening.

St. Athanasius said:

“The Son of God became man so that we might share in His divine life.”

That life begins in the Spirit.

________________________________________

(4) Gospel – John 11

This is the climax of Jesus’ public ministry.

Let us enter the scene.

Jesus delays.

Why?

St. John Chrysostom explains:

“He allowed death so that His power would be unmistakable.”

Sometimes God delays not to deny, but to deepen faith.

Then Jesus says:

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

Not “I will give resurrection.”

“I AM.”

Resurrection is not just an event.

It is a Person.

Then the shortest verse:

“Jesus wept.”

St. Thomas Aquinas said:

“He wept to show He is truly human; He raised Lazarus to show He is truly God.”

Our God is not distant from suffering.

He stands before tombs and weeps.

Then comes the command:

“Take away the stone.”

Jesus could have removed it.

But He asks others to cooperate.

Grace requires participation.

And then:

“Lazarus, come out!”

St. Augustine beautifully said:

“If He had not named Lazarus, all the dead would have risen.”

His voice has authority over death.

But Lazarus comes out still bound.

“Unbind him.”

Resurrection is instant.

Transformation takes time.

The Church helps remove grave clothes:

• Confession,

• Spiritual direction,

• Community,

• Prayer.

________________________________________

4. Key Biblical Verse

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

Carry this in your heart.

Where Christ is present, death does not have the last word.

________________________________________

5. Spiritual Diagnosis

What is our tomb?

• A repeated sin.

• A refusal to forgive.

• Pride.

• Spiritual laziness.

• Loss of hope.

The real disease beneath everything is unbelief.

We believe Christ can act for others.