Fifth Sunday of Lent

Year A • Lent 5

(Use your bible to lookup the readings)

Ezekiel 37:1–14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6–11
St. John 11:1–45

Collect
Almighty God, only you can ordain the rebellious affections and wills of sinners: Grant grace to your people to love what you have and desire what you promise; so that, in the midst of the rapid and varied changes of the world, our hearts may remain fixed wherever the true joys are; for our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel tells us:
“The Lord laid his hand upon me, and made me come out full of his power, and placed me in a valley that was full of bones.”
In this first part of the reading of the prophet Ezekiel he shows us three characters: The Lord, the prophet, and the dry bones.
We're definitely not "the Lord" so we've only got the prophet and the dry bones left.
If we are the prophet, the Lord takes us by the hand and fills us with his power. If we're the dry bones, I remind you that the writing ends up giving those dry bones life and hope.  And on occasion it is easier for us to take on the role of victims and do nothing expecting the Lord to do everything.  But on this occasion I invite you to take on the role of the prophet, fill us with the power of God, and bring hope to many dry bones that need to come back to life. Today's reading is a lesson of life and hope for those who, in this difficult time, need it.
The Holy Gospel tells us:

"Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you everything you ask.
Jesus said, Your brother will live again.
Martha said to him, Yes, I know that you will live again when the dead are resurrected, on the last day.
Jesus then said to him, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even if he dies, will live; and everyone who is still alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? "
The Lord affirms to us in his holy word that he is the resurrection and life. He also tells us that if we believe in him we will never die.  But it also asks us the question that we all have to answer" do you believe in this?
If you are the prophet, I invite you to believe and carry the message of life and encouragement to the one who needs it. If at this moment you consider yourself part of the dry bones: with discouragement, sadness, fear, and uncertainty, then let yourself be filled with God's love and stand still, like Lazaro and let the Lord fill you with his love.
There's hope, we'll make it. Let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of your life and fill you with its power.

Father Tony +