5th Sunday in Lent (V)

Sunday, March 29

Description:
Introit: Ps 116:1-4, 8 (antiphon: Ps 116:15)
Old Testament: Ezk 37:1-14
Epistle: Rom 8:1-11
Gospel: Jn 11:17-27, 38-53

Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection and the Life

The illness and death of Lazarus happened "that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus prompted His arrest and crucifixion, whereby He would die "for the nation" and gather "into one the children of God who are scattered abroad" (John 11:51-52). As He called Lazarus from the tomb and commanded others to "unbind him, and let him go" (John 11:44), Jesus also calls us and releases us from the bondage of sin and death. We would not "submit to God's law," nor could we "please God" (Rom. 8:7-8), but "he condemned sin" in His own flesh so "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. 8:3-4). Now through the Gospel, "the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells" in us (Rom. 8:11). His Word breathes His Spirit into our mortal flesh, animating us with His own life. As His ministers preach according to His divine command, the Lord Jesus calls us from the grave into the good land that He gives us (Ezek. 37:12, 14).