Lazarus and New Life
Lazarus and the theme of new life stand at the center of our readings for this Fifth Sunday in Lent. In the Gospel, we meet two sisters, Martha and Mary. They are the sisters of Lazarus, who has died. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were friends of Jesus.
This Gospel, like the Gospel of the Woman at the Well and the Man Born Blind, is catechetical because it prepares us for the Sacrament of Baptism. The first reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel speaks to us of bringing new life from the grave: “I will put my spirit in you that you may live…” In the second reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, we read: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will raise your mortal bodies to life through the Spirit dwelling in you.”
Faith and Baptism
Faith is the requirement of Baptism. In the Gospel, Jesus asks Martha if she believes that he is the resurrection and the life. Martha answers, “Yes, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world.” Notice that, for Martha, faith developed. This growth in her faith came as a result of her friendship with Jesus.
Jesus tells the people to remove the stone from the tomb of Lazarus. With this done, Jesus calls Lazarus back to life. The stone is an important symbol. Before new life can be given, the stone had to be removed. While Lazarus is returned to life, Jesus is creating new life in the spirit.
Removing the Stones
For that new life to be created in us, we need to remove whatever is blocking or interfering with a new life in Christ. The stones inhibiting our relationship with Christ are anything that distracts us, stops us, or prohibits growth in the spirit. These stones may be relationships that need to be reconciled or addressed, past guilt that has caused us to fear approaching God, regrets about behaviors, addictions, and more.
Only grace can help us move the stone blocking us from new life in Christ. Look at the burial bindings that held the body of Lazarus. Jesus says, “Free him and let him go.” There are many of us who seem bound up with issues from which we need to be freed. Once those are removed, we will hear more clearly the voice of Christ calling us to peace, joy, and love in the spirit.
Questions for Reflection
In the end, it comes down to these questions:
Do you believe that Jesus is God among us? Do you trust that Jesus can create new life in you and change your life for the better? Do you want a deeper relationship with Jesus in the sacred text, the Eucharist, the sacraments, and the community of the Church, or are you content with a relationship based on religious obligations that may not reach the depths of our being?
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
March 22, 2026