From Our Pastor

03-26-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss, Pastor

Dear People of God, Praised be Jesus Christ. There is going to be St. Boniface Catholic School Spring Fundraiser this Sat, Mar 25 at our new Rippley’s Social Hall, Waumandee. Please do come and support our St. Boniface School. Also don’t forget the Soup Supper every Tuesday of Lent at our Hansen Hall, Fountain City.

Today is the 5th Sunday of Lent. This will be followed by 'Passion Sunday,' (Palm Sunday) and finally 'the Holy Week' that will reach its peak on 'Easter Sunday.' The central theme of today’s Scripture Readings is the resurrection and the life. The three readings of today fit beautifully together as they tell us of death yielding to a new way of life.

The prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading urges the exiled Israelite people in Babylon to look beyond the siege and destruction of Jerusalem to a new future, when God’s Spirit will restore their nation. God promises them a new life and they will be filled with the Spirit of God. The prophet Ezekiel offers hope for them who believe in the God of life. St. Paul in the Second Reading reminds the Roman Christians the power of God´s Spirit that will give life to their mortal bodies. He implies that this new life is not something that will start only on the last day, but is taking effect in their lives now. For this reason, he encourages them to live now, according to the Spirit.

In the Gospel Reading of today from St. John we have the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, to bring him back to life, symbolizing that “Jesus himself is the resurrection and the life.” This miracle leads us to believe in resurrection and new life which exists in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The raising of Lazarus is not just the resuscitation of a dead man, but is a powerful symbol of a new life that all of us can undergo when we submit to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Finally, as followers of Jesus, we believe in the resurrection of the dead; that death is not the end of everything. Rather, it is just a passage into eternal life and that the life hereafter is only a continuation of this life. But this life after death could be ours only on one condition, namely, to believe in Jesus and follow his voice, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Jesus is ever willing to help us no matter what it will cost him. It does not matter how long we have been spiritually dead or exiled. He knows us, loves, and calls us by our names as he called, “Lazarus, Come out!” If we hear and obey his voice, then he will restore life to our weak and mortal bodies through the power of the Holy Spirit. Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!

Yours in Jesus,

Fr. Doss