March 22, 2026
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Gospel: John 11:1-45

Today is the last Sunday of Lent before Holy Week. The passage from the Gospel according to Saint John presents to us the greatest sign worked by Jesus in Bethany: there, He raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, thereby revealing that He is the Lord of life. This scene resonates with our experiences in daily life.

We often face separation and loss of loved ones. In our view, when a dear one departs from us, we believe we have forever lost them, that they are no longer with us. In truth, those who are separated from us in this earthly life are only temporarily parted; on the last day, when souls and bodies are reunited, we will be with them again. Just as today, when Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was ill, He did not go immediately to Bethany but remained where He was for two more days, then set out with His disciples for Bethany (cf. John 11:1-7), in order to bring glory to God.

We often think about our relationship with God based on our own understanding of things. Just as the disciples who were traveling with Jesus that day said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews have recently sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” (John 11:8). For in their eyes, this earthly life seemed more important than eternal life. Their concern for Jesus’ safety stemmed from the fear that if they lost Him, they would lose what they believed to be the Messiah who would restore all Israel—just as Saint John records elsewhere: “You are seeking Me not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). If Jesus were stoned to death by the Jews, all their hopes would be shattered.

In truth, by the Sacrament of Baptism we have received, we have been cleansed of original sin by the abundant mercy of God, who pours out the living water flowing from the heart of Jesus—the very water He proclaimed in the temple on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles: “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (cf. John 7:37-39). Through Baptism, we are united with Christ, and our souls have been set free, as Paul says: “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, your Son handed himself over to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica