Walking with Jesus: Fifth Sunday of Lent A

For Sunday, March 22, 2026

Ezekiel 37:12-14, Romans 8:8-11, John 1:1-45


Life and death are the themes of all of today’s readings. We don’t like to think about death — our death in particular. Yet we have all experienced loved ones, family members, friends and associates who have died suddenly, tragically; who have suffered so much from diseases and accidents; and have died naturally. Were they ready for dying? Did they accept their last days in peace? Were they able to pass on their love messages to their families and those around them?

On the first Sunday of Lent we reflected on death as we do today. Death is the fate of all human beings: No one is spared. In the first reading, Ezekiel is witnessing the death of the nation. In John’s gospel we hear about the death of Lazarus. Paul is concerned with the bodily, mortal part of our physical bodies, but he is more concerned with our spiritual life and death. Death comes in three ways: First, we are mortal and subject to physical death. Second, we are all sinners and must deal with the implications of our spiritual death. Third, we are subject to things we have not dwelt on: the consequences of social sins like terrorism, violence, group hatred, greed and ecological exploitation.  We cannot avoid any of these. We put them off … don’t want to talk about them … we say they are the evils of society ... yet we are living in these societies and avoidance doesn’t bring peace and solutions — it invites detachment and indifference. All of the readings point to our inability to raise ourselves out of these “deaths” that affect us. The bottom line is that God does not leave us alone. God continues to offer us new life every day. His offer could come as another chance in life that was once enjoyed — it could be an opportunity to enter into an entirely new way of living. In all it is a discovery that God is our loving creator. God did not place any of us here to be entertainment for Him, but to be with Him forever in Heaven. He loves me that much. He loves you that much. Am I realizing His love? Am I grateful for His love? Have I accepted my role to be love so others can be aware of God’s love through my love? We look at this.

Throughout Lent we have been made aware of God’s constant mercy and compassion — His continual willingness to give us another chance. Rather than being an emphasis on penitential practices, God is offering another chance for reconciliation. God’s life is love sharing.

Ezekiel is sharing guidance from God — a promise of hope within the community that their exile is only temporary; a prelude to a glorious rebirth in their beloved homeland — and a promise of security in the form of a future with God always present and loving. We just do not take time to reflect on how God loves us each day. Do we respond in gratitude and then listen? We have been taught that the response to “thank you” is, “you're welcome!”

Paul’s eighth chapter to the Romans is a guide on how to live a Christian life. Today he contrasts two ways of living: life in the flesh and life in the Spirit. When Paul refers to the flesh, he is not thinking of specific bodily or sexual behavior. He is speaking of human nature with all its limitations; namely those that lead one away from God and the things of God. On the other hand, life in the spirit is when we are attuned to God. Is it about me or about God and His love? Where do I find completion and satisfaction as a giving, caring person?

The death and resurrection of Lazarus points to the death and resurrection of Jesus and each of us and everyone who believes in Jesus. This awaits us. Do I want heaven? Do I realize heaven is the fulfillment of what love, sincere caring, and helping is all about? It is clear that Lazarus’ illness is fatal — that is why Jesus says the real purpose of His waiting to go is not the death of Lazarus but the glory of God and the Son of God. Jesus waits until there is no doubt of death: “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” [John 11:39] Jesus continues with a proclamation that He is the Resurrection and the Life and that faith in Him will guarantee life for others. Then the Solemn Question is posed: “Do you believe?” And Martha replies, “Yes, Lord!” [John 11:26] That’s the question posed to each of us.

In Mark 9:24 we find the phrase, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.” It is spoken by a father asking Jesus to heal his son. It signifies a sincere desire to trust God while admitting to struggling with doubt, showing that faith can coexist with weakness. We all know what that is about.

So I reflect on:

• God has a purpose and plan for everything that happens on this Earth. Do I trust that God’s plan is for me and all of us to be untied from the bonds of sins and death? Do I trust that a delay in God’s answer to my prayer is not denial?
• During Lent I’ve cried for God’s mercy and redemption. Do I wait now in hope?

Sacred Space 2026 states:

“We have one of the great stories about Jesus and His great friend, Lazarus, in today’s passage. We know that losses are never an enjoyable part of life and to find yourself away when the unexpected death happens is even worse. Added to the whole business is that the deceased’s sister, Martha, took Jesus’ absence and His lack of response very personally. We stay with the event and note that even the hopelessness of the situation did not deter Jesus. We observe that He can bring good even out of matters of life and death, so might it be possible that we learn to place our trust in Him in smaller matters?”