5th Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent Cycle A are:

1. Ezekiel 37: 12-14
2. Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
3. Romans 8: 8-11
4. John 11: 1-45

1. I give you my spirit
• We hear of someone "passing their mantle" on to a successor, or "passing the baton" to someone else.  How do we do that as ministers?
• In many families, over time, a division of labor develops and one household gets Christmas, another Easter, and so forth so that no one family has to host everyone else all of the time.  How do you hand on traditions, roles within the family when the time comes?
• Dignified work is a great blessing and gift.  How would you like to hand on your work to another, or to others when the time comes?
• How are are you planning to give your life away when the time comes?
2. Our past is written in us
• How would you define redemption?
• What have you been redeemed from?
• If we are the product of our decisions, and we are held accountable for our actions, what then difference does God's forgiveness and redemption really make?
3. A lively faith
• Have you ever known someone who was lively?
• How would you describe the way that they lived their life?
• What changed in their approach as they grew old?
• If we, as God's children, are called to grow more lively as we mature, how would you expect your life to grow/mature in your golden years?
4. Timing is everything
• How do you think that Jesus knew when to move on, when to stay?
• Was it a feeling, a restlessness that told Him to move on?
• Did those movements come to him in prayer?
• How much and by what means can we become more Christ like in knowing when and in which direction to move?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I courageous enough to hope?
2. When was the last time that I really felt my need for God's mercy?
3. What am I doing today to strengthen my spiritual life?
4. What in me has died and needs a resurrection?

Rolling Away the Stones

Jesus finds ways for the rest of us to participate in His miracles so many times.
The blind man washing at the pool of Siloam, loaves and fishes at the feeding of the five thousand,
Even just stopping the funeral procession for the son of the widow of Nain

All of these, all of these and more called for cooperation, involvement from us.
As though the power of God could not come without a hand from our side
Our side of eternity, reaching out to grasp that abundance and accept it.

Where are the stones in my life, laying between me and God's glory?
Is it attachment to the familiar, a need for success, a yearning for security?
Maybe fear of letting go, fear of having nothing in hand, fear of freedom.

I prayed for fearlessness, and God told me to pray for strength to overcome my fears.
I prayed for vision to see the future and God told me to pray for trust in Him,
I prayed for might and strength, and God asked me to pray for humility.

I nearly prayed for guidance, but then I realized I already had it in abundance,
All I need now is the will to follow what guidance I have
To roll away the stones of my heart, and see the glory of God.

Shalom!