​Before you answer too quickly think about Martha. She answered “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” but when Jesus told them to remove the stone she exclaimed “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days” leading to a short rebuke from Jesus: “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”
It was not that Martha had no faith but, you see, until then death was a finality but on this Fifth Sunday of Lent Resurrection hope is the central theme of the Scripture readings.
We live in a world that permeated in a culture of death: murder, abortion, euthanasia, domestic violence, disease, war and terrorist activities. We've experienced a rise in suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, stress, bad eating habits, and other forms of physical neglect. Coronavirus has made us fearful but on this 5th Sunday Jesus reveals the ultimate truth: "I am the resurrection and the life". Death does not and will not have the final answer. Today gospel is a message of hope.
In our sinfulness we often bind ourselves with chains of addiction to alcohol, drugs, and pornography, with gossip, envy, prejudice, hatred and anger and it seems that we are always in the darkness of tombs of despair. We are wrapped in bindings of selfishness, worry, fear, resentment, hatred, and guilt. Today, friends, Jesus says "Roll away the stone, unbind him and let him go.” Today Jesus calls our name, “Come out, Mary”, “Come out, Michel”!
Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus and weeps for the spirtually dead today. He wants to bring the light and the power of God into our lives and and to liberate us from our tombs and bindings. Let this moment be the beginning of a new life. Like Lazarus we are called out of darkness into the light, we are not meant to be lost in a culture of death but to be witnesses of resurrection power.
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
In the name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

​Reflection
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. It is the beginning of the Good News, God's plan of salvation now imminent, the hope of patriarchs and prophets about to be realized. Do you know what's behind this? His love for a sinful world.
He did not love us after we were saved but saved us after we were loved.
Peace.

What is sad is that goes against the very celebration we anticipate: Easter. Here we are in the 4th week of Lent two weeks away from Palm Sunday and Holy Week culminating in the grand celebration of our Lord's Resurrection. As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ was sent by God the father, to show us perfect love. (Jn 3:16) Jesus loved sinners, outcasts and Jesus offered hope, forgiveness and healing.
Let's put this pandemic where it belongs it is not God's punishment but a consequence of man's sin. It's our neglect and abuse of nature, our selfishness that lead to this. Those world "leaders" who suppressed information, or refrained from taking quick action due to financial or political agendas.
Don't get me wrong there will be judgement. "...He will come to judge the living and the dead" we recite in our Creed. But now we live under the offer of his grace, the grace of the cross and new life offered in Jesus Resurrection. All we need do is repent.
2 Chron 7:14 "if then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land."
Lent calls is to change our ways.
Peace

Reflection
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else, the bible says. 

Like this Pharisee who didn't feel the need for mercy, nor sought it. He wasn't praying but was rather boasting to God. Boastful people don't leave justified with God, only the humble do.

There are people whom I fear will run out of the letter 'I', always exalting themselves to God and their fellow man. 'Look at wonderful me', 'praise me' they demand. As Shakespeare said 'full of sound and fury signifying nothing...'

Be humble, stay humble.
Peace.