March 13, 2016
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
St. Augustine was first to composed a spiritual autobiography. He used the word: “confession†to describe his profession of faith and his acknowledgement of his sinfulness. Today in the Gospel according to St. John, Martha meets Jesus and expresses her disappointment that Jesus was not present when her brother Lazarus died. They enter into an honest exchange about her faith in the resurrection and then Martha makes a beautiful confession of faith: “I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God who has come into the world.†Last weekend our teens recited the creed and presented the text to Jen and Justin, brother and sister, who are preparing to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. It is a special moment when teens express and share their faith with two children who will be initiated during the Easter Vigil. At the end of our Gospel when Jesus brings Lazarus back to life, he directs: “Unbind him and let him go.†Lazarus is bound with burial cloths. We too are tied-up in ignorance, fear, sin, pettiness and prejudice. When we confess all that enslaves us, by God’s grace and forgiveness, we come to enjoy the freedom of God’s children. Our catechumens (Lisa, Jen and Justin) are being drawn to be with us in the Catholic faith. In our Gospel, Jesus weeps – shedding tears of love. Trusting in God’s mercy we can confess both our sins and our faith. Even now we experience the resurrection of Christ.
Previous:
5th Sunday of Lent (C)
Next:
Palm Sunday
