Fr. F.X. Sudarmanto, SX
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Sometimes we may come across a worrying experience in our life, that needs to be addressed. For example, these days in Mongo we have a problem in our small communities in the villages. There are projects of construction or rehabilitation of schools that need the cooperation of the community to provide local materials. In some communities the projects are not developing smoothly because the cooperation of the community is lacking. Although there was sensitization and participation before, the response now is not encouraging. There is lack of enthusiasm among the people, they do not seem care.
This is worrying, of course. There is something wrong with those communities. There is a kind of “sickness”. Their hearts have become cold as if they do not have any ambition or aspiration to improve their own community. We notice that some communities have become weak, less committed to their progress, even if there is a help; they do not seem to care for their own welfare. Their life seems to “die”. How do we deal with this kind of situation?
The readings of this 5th Sunday of Lent seem to have something to say about this kind of situation. In the first reading (Ez 37:12-14), Ezekiel sees the Jews in exile to be as dead as the bones of dead men scattered on a battlefield. It is terrifying. The Gospel (Jn 11:1-45) tells us about Lazarus, beloved brother of Martha and Mary, who was ill and died. This made Martha and Mary feel very depressed. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” said Martha and Mary to Jesus (Jn 11:21). As the Lord brings the bones of dead men back into shape and breathes a new spirit in them (first reading), so Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and gives him life again (Gospel).
One important message for us this Sunday is that God in Jesus Christ loves us and is able to overcome “sickness” and “death” in our life. In our life, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus make us discover the love of God, who calls us to everlasting life – to share with him. The raising of Lazarus is a sign of Jesus’ victory over death, and a sign of hope for all of us. In faith, we can regard a life of dedication to Gospel ideals as budding into the full blossoming of life everlasting.
We, Christians have the mission to follow Jesus in bringing a new life, a new spirit, a new hope in our life and the life of our brothers and sisters, which sometimes experience a kind of “sickness” or even “death”. Pessimism, apathy, carelessness or the obscuring of ideals, these are signs of sickness that can lead to death. As for the communities that have this kind of symptoms in the Mongo area, we visit them, we talk and share with them, we remain present among them, we listen to them who tell us about their problems, we help them to find a solution together. Little by little, people understand our concern. They themselves become aware about their role and responsibility. Gradually they regain their inspiration to continue pursuing their goals, their dreams, for the welfare of their community. Though most of them are not Christians, our Christian witness among them can build optimism and new hope in their lives. Our presence in their villages is inspiring them to care and commit themselves to the progress of their village. Through our witness and works of charity, we spread signs of hope in the lives of people.
This is missionary work. As “many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him,” (Jn 11:45), so our witness of hope and tireless efforts to promote Gospel values through our deeds of love, friendship and brotherhood, will draw people to believe in the love of Jesus. Thus, we all receive his spirit, we share in his life, and live not only in the flesh, but mostly in the Spirit, “the Spirit of God that dwells in us”. (Rom 8: 9).
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Sometimes we may come across a worrying experience in our life, that needs to be addressed. For example, these days in Mongo we have a problem in our small communities in the villages. There are projects of construction or rehabilitation of schools that need the cooperation of the community to provide local materials. In some communities the projects are not developing smoothly because the cooperation of the community is lacking. Although there was sensitization and participation before, the response now is not encouraging. There is lack of enthusiasm among the people, they do not seem care.
This is worrying, of course. There is something wrong with those communities. There is a kind of “sickness”. Their hearts have become cold as if they do not have any ambition or aspiration to improve their own community. We notice that some communities have become weak, less committed to their progress, even if there is a help; they do not seem to care for their own welfare. Their life seems to “die”. How do we deal with this kind of situation?
The readings of this 5th Sunday of Lent seem to have something to say about this kind of situation. In the first reading (Ez 37:12-14), Ezekiel sees the Jews in exile to be as dead as the bones of dead men scattered on a battlefield. It is terrifying. The Gospel (Jn 11:1-45) tells us about Lazarus, beloved brother of Martha and Mary, who was ill and died. This made Martha and Mary feel very depressed. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” said Martha and Mary to Jesus (Jn 11:21). As the Lord brings the bones of dead men back into shape and breathes a new spirit in them (first reading), so Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and gives him life again (Gospel).
One important message for us this Sunday is that God in Jesus Christ loves us and is able to overcome “sickness” and “death” in our life. In our life, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus make us discover the love of God, who calls us to everlasting life – to share with him. The raising of Lazarus is a sign of Jesus’ victory over death, and a sign of hope for all of us. In faith, we can regard a life of dedication to Gospel ideals as budding into the full blossoming of life everlasting.
We, Christians have the mission to follow Jesus in bringing a new life, a new spirit, a new hope in our life and the life of our brothers and sisters, which sometimes experience a kind of “sickness” or even “death”. Pessimism, apathy, carelessness or the obscuring of ideals, these are signs of sickness that can lead to death. As for the communities that have this kind of symptoms in the Mongo area, we visit them, we talk and share with them, we remain present among them, we listen to them who tell us about their problems, we help them to find a solution together. Little by little, people understand our concern. They themselves become aware about their role and responsibility. Gradually they regain their inspiration to continue pursuing their goals, their dreams, for the welfare of their community. Though most of them are not Christians, our Christian witness among them can build optimism and new hope in their lives. Our presence in their villages is inspiring them to care and commit themselves to the progress of their village. Through our witness and works of charity, we spread signs of hope in the lives of people.
This is missionary work. As “many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him,” (Jn 11:45), so our witness of hope and tireless efforts to promote Gospel values through our deeds of love, friendship and brotherhood, will draw people to believe in the love of Jesus. Thus, we all receive his spirit, we share in his life, and live not only in the flesh, but mostly in the Spirit, “the Spirit of God that dwells in us”. (Rom 8: 9).