Long into Lent

    Have you ever found yourself in a dark place? As we come to the final regular Sunday of Lent, today’s readings for Mass speak to hope and the life that God promises to bring out of even the darkest places. These passages gradually lead us toward the powerful story of Lazarus, a moment that points ahead to the victory over death that will come in the resurrection of Christ.

   In Ezekiel 37:12-14, the prophet has vision of the valley of dry bones, and we hear a striking image of hope. God tells the   prophet that the bones will live again, that He will open the graves of His people and put His Spirit within them. What first appears lifeless and beyond repair is not lost to God. With His breath, even dry bones can rise. That image speaks to the reality many of us know. At times our faith can feel dry or tired. We may feel discouraged, weighed down by sin, worry, or disappointment. As Lent draws to a close, this reading reminds us that God is always ready to breathe life into what feels empty or worn down in us. The question is whether we are willing to let Him.

    In Romans 8:8-11, St. Paul continues this theme in Romans as he speaks about life in the Spirit. He reminds us that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells within us. Because of that, our lives are no longer defined simply by our weaknesses or our failures. The Spirit of God is at work in us, calling us toward new life. During Lent we try to clear away the things that keep us from God—habits, distractions, attitudes that pull us in the wrong direction. Paul’s words remind us that this effort is not just about self-improvement. It is about making room for the Spirit to lead us. When we live in that Spirit, we begin to experience the life God truly desires for us.

    The Gospel of John 11: 1-45 brings these themes to life in a very dramatic way. In the story of Lazarus, we see both the humanity and the power of Jesus. When He arrives in Bethany, Mary and Martha are grieving. Their brother has already died, and it seems that hope has passed them by. Yet even in the midst of their sorrow, Jesus speaks one of the most powerful truths in the Gospel: “I am the resurrection and the life.” What follows is one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture, and one of only seven miracles that John’s gospel recounts Jesus performing. Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb, and the man who had been dead walks out alive. It is an extraordinary miracle, but it is also a sign pointing forward. Not long after this moment, Jesus Himself will face death—and overcome it.

    For us, the story is also deeply personal. Like Mary and Martha, we all face moments when things seem lost or beyond repair. We find ourselves in what seems to be almost tomb-like darkness. Faith does not remove those moments, but faith does remind us that Christ is present even there. The One who called Lazarus from the tomb is still able to bring life where we see only endings.

    As we enter the final week of Lent and prepare for Holy Week, these readings invite us to take an honest look at ourselves and into our own hearts. Do we feel like those dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision? If so, what parts of our lives need the breath of God’s Spirit? The good news of this 5th Sunday of Lent is that God is not finished with us. He can bring life out of dryness, hope out of grief, and faith out of doubt. The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is still at work. As we move toward the cross, and ultimately toward the empty tomb, may we open ourselves more fully to that Spirit. And may this final week of Lent renew our trust that, with Christ, new life is always possible.