On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the Third Scrutiny prayers for our OCIA elect and conclude our three-week reflection on the Gospel of John, which presents the divinity of Christ through a series of powerful signs. On the Third Sunday of Lent, the sign was water, with Jesus revealed as the living water of eternal life. On the Fourth Sunday, the sign was light, with Jesus proclaimed as the light of the world. Now, on this Fifth and final Sunday, the Gospel presents us with the sign of Jesus as the resurrection and the life.
The evangelist introduces Lazarus as the brother of Martha and Mary, sisters who also appear in Luke’s Gospel. Clearly, they are dear friends of Jesus, as shown by the deep love and emotion he displays in this story. There are other resurrection stories in the synoptic Gospels – the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the widow’s son – but both involve those who had only just died. John’s account is strikingly different: Lazarus has been dead for four days and is already sealed in the tomb. Jesus even delays his arrival after hearing of Lazarus’ illness, rather than rushing to his side as we might expect.
Jesus explains this delay by saying:
This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.
This sign is meant for Martha and Mary and those who mourn with them; for John’s community of believers; for the generations of Christians inspired by this story; for our OCIA elect as they make their final preparations for the Easter sacraments; and for each of us reflecting on this Gospel today. All who have wrestled with the mystery of death can hear their own voice echoed in the words spoken first by Martha and then by Mary:
Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Jesus responds with one of the most profound declarations in the Gospel:
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?
That question is not asked only of Martha. It is asked of all of us who have stood at gravesides, who have mourned loved ones, and who struggle with grief and hope. Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
Martha’s response is one of the strongest professions of faith in the New Testament:
Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.
This is a triple declaration of Jesus’ divinity: he is the Messiah, he is the Son of God, and he is the one sent by the Father. To confirm this faith, Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb, restoring him to life.
Today’s First Reading from the prophet Ezekiel echoes this promise:
Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people.
And in the Second Reading, Saint Paul assures the Christian community in Rome:
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also.
Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life. In raising Lazarus, he offers a glimpse of the eternal life shared by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet this greatest sign in John’s Gospel also leads directly to Jesus’ own death. The gift of life will cost him his life.
That final chapter of the story begins next week, as we enter Holy Week with Palm Sunday and journey toward Good Friday – and ultimately, the Resurrection.
5th Sunday of Lent Entrance Antiphon Give Me Justice, O God (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #79
This Entrance Antiphon from Psalm 43 concludes with words of hope: “For you, O God, are my strength.”
Entrance Chant What Wondrous Love Is This (Traditional; arr. by Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Song #364
Josh offers a stirring contemporary arrangement of this traditional Passiontide hymn. Note how verse 3 sings of freedom from death, a gift that Jesus granted to Lazarus and to all who believe he is the Resurrection and the Life.
Responsorial Psalm With the Lord There Is Mercy, and Fullness of Redemption (Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 114
The Spirit & Psalm settings offer two options for interpreting the verses: You can either chant the verses and support the cantor with simple chords on guitar or piano. Or, you can play the verses metrically to match the meter of the response.
Lenten Gospel Acclamation Glory to You, Word of God: Mass of the Desert (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 116
The Acclamation verse references the words of Jesus from today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts We Come Alive (Cooper Ray and Sarah Hart)
This song by Cooper and Sarah sings of the power of Christ as the Resurrection and the Life within the context of the Cross, making it a good choice for Lenten liturgy. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
5th Sunday of Lent Communion Antiphon Everyone Who Lives and Believes in Me [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #80
Option 1 was specifically placed in the Roman Missal to highlight the core teaching from today’s Gospel. Remember that the Communion Antiphon may be repeated prayerfully several times during the distribution of the Eucharist. This would be a simple way to underscore Jesus’ powerful words of hope.
Communion Chant God So Loved (Ken Canedo)
Breaking Bread #151
This anthem setting of Jesus’ teaching on eternal life from John 3:16 will complement the Communion Antiphon well.
Sending Forth On Eagle’s Wings (Michael Joncas)
Spirit & Song #333; Never Too Young #27; Breaking Bread #441
This is perhaps an unusual song to end our liturgy, but Fr. Joncas’ beloved setting of Psalm 91 has an uplifting reassurance that fits so well with the story of the raising of Lazarus. “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.”
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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