Readings
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45
Calendar
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 4: International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
April 6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
April 7: World Health Day (http://bit.ly/2mZDIxW)
April 7: International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda in 1994
April 9: Palm Sunday, start of Holy Week
Readings
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45
Calendar
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 4: International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
April 6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
April 7: World Health Day (http://bit.ly/2mZDIxW)
April 7: International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda in 1994
April 9: Palm Sunday, start of Holy Week
Quotes
Whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or willful self-destruction, whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, torments inflicted on body or mind, attempts to coerce the will itself; whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where people are treated as mere instruments of gain rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others like them are infamies indeed. They poison human society, and they do more harm to those who practice them than to those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator.
— Second Vatican Council, Gaudium Et Spes, 27
There is a growing awareness of the sublime dignity of human persons, who stand above all things and whose rights and duties are universal and inviolable. They ought, therefore, to have ready access to all that is necessary for living a genuinely human life: for example, food, clothing, housing … the right to education, and work…
— Second Vatican Council, Gaudium Et Spes, 26
The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as “good news” to the people of every age and culture.
— John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, 1
We incarnate the duty of hearing the cry of the poor when we are deeply moved by the suffering of others. Let us listen to what God’s word teaches us about mercy, and allow that word to resound in the life of the Church.
— Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 193
Exposure to atmospheric pollutants produces a broad spectrum of health hazards, especially for the poor, and causes millions of premature deaths.
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 20
Let us not leave in our wake a swath of destruction and death…
— Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 215
Everything is interconnected, and this invites us to develop a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity.
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 240
Thoughts for Your Consideration
The scriptures today are about life and about death.
In the midst of a world with so much death, we believe in a God of life.
In the scripture from Ezekiel, God says “I will put my spirit in you that you may live.”
Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus.
We too have so many deaths to weep over:
- The hundreds of thousands of deaths in the fighting in Syria,
- the continuous killings of people in Chicago and other urban centers,
- the countless refugees who have died trying to get to Europe on the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea,
- the ongoing deaths in the violence in South Sudan,
- the deaths from acts of terrorism all over the world,
- the many, many deaths from ethnic and racial fighting in countless places,
- the deaths of those without adequate medical care,
- so many deaths by suicide,
- the deaths of children who do not get adequate nutrition,
- the continuing deaths from the use of the death penalty,
- the deaths of people who die alone and feel unloved,
- the deaths from substance abuse,
- the deaths from industrial accidents,
- the deaths from pollution and the use of toxic chemicals,
- the death of our planet and so many species of plants and animals
Jesus says to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Our contemporary world needs a God that will address all this “death” with a vision of resurrection and life:
- A vision of reconciliation and nonviolence,
- a vision of a “consistent ethic of life” like a “seamless garment”
- a vision of a world of justice for all where the life of every human person is treated with dignity and respect,
- a vision that does not forget those on the margins,
- a vision that respects human rights,
- a vision that does not forget women and children,
- a vision that promotes life before money and power and pride.
We are called to hear the call of God and implement God’s vision of life. Jesus says: “Lazarus, come out.” Jesus says to those around him: “Untie him and let him go.” Our contemporary world needs a confident voice that will invite us out of our tombs and into freedom – freedom from the culture of violence, death, racism, discrimination, debt, revenge, and blindness – freedom to respond to the needs of others and let go of everything that keeps us from being fully alive.
Questions for Reflection in Your Faith Sharing Group
When have you wept in the face of death?
When have you wept over the experience of death and suffering in the world beyond the circle of your family and friends?
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When have you had an experience of someone affirming life in the midst of death and suffering?
Stories
Parable of the ducks: http://bit.ly/2mzV6y1
There is a town where only ducks live. Every Sunday the ducks waddle out of their houses and waddle down Main Street to their church. They waddle into the sanctuary and squat in their proper pews. The duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the duck minister comes forward and opens the duck Bible. (Ducks, like all other creatures on earth, seem to have their own special version of Scriptures.) He reads to them: “Ducks! God has given you wings! With wings you can fly! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fences can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings and you can fly like birds!”
All the ducks shouted, “Amen!” And they all waddled home.
Actions—Links
Jesuit Refugee Service
- Administration’s budget proposal harmful to world’s refugees: http://bit.ly/2nwo80P
- Advocacy: http://bit.ly/2mZMImt
International Rescue Committee
- http://www.rescue.org
- “The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.”
Ecological Life and Death
- A number of years ago, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines write, “What is Happening to Our Beautiful Land: A Pastoral Letter on Ecology.” As one reflects on the death of our planet due to human activity, one might want to read this letter. Find the letter here: http://bit.ly/2mZKRhw
- Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si, on the ecology of our planet can be found at: http://bit.ly/2cHkObd
“Crazy Facts”
- Suicide Rate per 100,000 Americans
In 1999: 10.5
In 2014: 13.0 - Source: America Magazine, 20 March 2017
- Number of U.S. states with the death penalty: 32
- Total number of executions since 1976: 1,392
- Current number of death row inmates: 3,035
- Number of people released from death row with evidence of their innocence: 130
- Average cost of a death penalty case: $2.4 million
- Source: http://bit.ly/2n2eTSP
- Famine in East Africa: “Famine was declared in February 2017 in South Sudan, where some 100,000 people are facing starvation and a million more are on the brink. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is predicting imminent famine in Somalia, Yemen, and northeastern Nigeria. Kenya and Ethiopia are also grappling with severe drought and hunger, even as they struggle to host thousands of refugees from neighboring countries in turmoil.”
- Source: http://bit.ly/2nMVU2a
Prayers of Intercession
Response: God, give us resurrection and new life.
For all who have died from war, terrorism and other forms of violence, we pray….
For all those who have died from or been injured in natural disasters, we pray….
For all those who are dying from a lack of food, or good water, or proper medical care, we pray…
For our environment which has been stressed and even “killed” by our abuse and overuse, we pray….
For all those who are on death row, we pray….
For all those who live in fear of violence, we pray….
For all those who are bound up by unjust political and economic systems, we pray….
For all those who are imprisoned, we pray….
Prayer – Meditation
Peace is possible, peace is a duty,
peace is a prime responsibility of everyone!
May the dawn of the third millennium see the coming
of a new era in which respect for every man and woman
and fraternal solidarity among peoples
will, with God’s help, overcome
the culture of hatred, of violence, of death.
— John Paul II, Urbi et Orbi 1999 Easter Message
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We pray for these things with humility;
We pray because of the hope that is within us,
and because of a faith in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit;
We pray because of our love for Creation, and because of our trust in God.
We pray, above all, for peace throughout the world.
— A Prayer for World Peace” by Jane Goodall (the full prayer can be found here: http://bit.ly/2nl6hZZ)
Images
Fifth Sunday of Lent [a]
April 2, 2017
Date Added: March 24, 2017