Fifth Sunday In Lent
29th March 2020
Collect:
God of all consolations and hope:
you breathe life into dry bones and weary souls:
Pour our your Spirit upon us,
that we may face despair and death in the hope of resurrection;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
(Anglican Prayer Book page 170)
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm: 130
Second Reading: Romans 8:6-11
Gospel: John 11:1-45
Sermon
The Creed: Page 108
Prayers
Fifth Sunday In Lent
29th March 2020
1st Reading: Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Psalm 130
2nd Reading: Romans 8: 6-11
Gospel Reading: John 11:1-45
Greetings to the Parishioners of Parish of Formosa!
In our old testament reading after the fall of Jerusalem the people would have been scattered and dispirited. The vision had a simple message that the dead nation of Israel would one day be revived and return to their own land. The dry bones became living warriors, an equally powerful transformation would one day be applied to Israel. The force of this vision has brought hope to many down the centuries and that the power of God can change even the most hopeless of lives and situations.
The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones and to tell them they would become covered with flesh and come to life. He did and the bones came together with a rattle. The Lord explained to Ezekiel that these bones represented Israel who said that their hope were dried up. Hence the proclamation of Ezekiel to all people of Israel verse 12-14 ‘ I will bring you out of your graves to the land of Israel……….Then you will know that I am the Lord, I have said it and will do it’.
In the Gospel reading of John, he makes clear the identity of Lazarus and especially his relation to Mary who anointed Jesus. Verse 6 states that Jesus delayed for two days. Why? In the context there is a definite connection between that delay and Jesus’ love for the Bethany family. The delay cannot therefore be considered as a lack of care, the result provides the answer, for Jesus intended that the experience of Lazarus should be glorifying to God and a means for leading the disciples to faith. The disciples are first seen here fearful for the safety of Jesus if he returned to Judea. No doubt that they were relieved when Jesus delayed his journey and were maybe hoping he will abandon it altogether.
Jesus’ hour had not yet come and until God willed that it should, the only course to adopt was to go about one mission. Jesus made clear the statement that Lazarus was dead, also when Jesus made clear that he was glad that he was not there must have confused the disciples, but Jesus had a reason to be glad other than the restoration of Lazarus. It is almost as if Jesus was concentrating more specifically on the training of the twelve disciples than on the needs of the two sisters. His mission was bound up with the bringing of the disciples to faith.
Martha’s words are identical with those of Mary. There was clearly a strong faith in the power of Jesus to heal and the highlight of this narrative is, ‘I am the resurrection and life’. The way to that life is by means of faith.
What does this mean in our context today?
Maybe today the situation we find ourselves in and maybe we are also losing faith, losing hope and can relate to the people of Israel. Maybe we are also scattering and dispirited. Maybe we are also looking for the clear and simple message that one day we will also return to our country our daily activities. Maybe we are also in a situation where our ‘bones’ are dry, lifeless and we need to be covered with ‘flesh’ and come to life. Maybe our hope is also divided but Jesus is giving us that assurance of ‘I am the resurrection and the life’. Jesus giving hope in our time of our despair, in a time of confusion, panic, hopelessness and when we are scared. Although Jesus knew what was waiting for Him, the importance for Him was to train his disciples to have faith and to complete the mission and plan God had instore.
Jesus gave us hope as he conquered death. No matter our graves or dry bones, caused by suffering, pain, hurt, hopelessness, concerns, God will turn our despair and our dispiritedness into hope, into life.
At the grave of Lazarus Jesus showed his humanity by being sad, even angry and feeling sorry, so he knew pain and he knew exactly what we are going through. Although Lazarus was dead for four days, he was resurrected therefore the affirmation that, nothing is impossible with God.
Jesus gave the instruction loosen him and let Him go and maybe the instruction to us also today, loosen yourselves, get rid of that which might imprison ourselves, prevent us to find hope in Christ. Preventing us to trust and have faith in God. Preventing us to glorify God.
Let us pray:
Almighty God and heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your steadfast love, the hope and consolation you are giving us. Thank you for your assurance and affirmation that you are the resurrection and the life and in you we find our hope.
We pray for our Country, its leadership, for the leadership of our church and we ask that you guide them with your wisdom to do what is right for your people. We pray for people in this country, of the world and we ask that you please keep us safe. We also pray for those who died due to the coronavirus and may their souls rest and peace, we also pray for their families.
Grant this, holy Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen