Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of lent 2023

On this fifth Sunday of Lent 2023 we share a reflection prepared by the Sisters Adorers, Province of Kolkata:

The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus

The readings of the 5^th Sunday of Lent reminds us the co-existence of the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus. A vivid picture of these two realities in the life of Jesus is seen in the liturgy of today.

The Humanity of Jesus speaks to us about:

• The relationship of Jesus with the family of Martha and Mary.
• Jesus’ friendship and physical presence with the family.
• A deep sense of understanding and love towards them.
• His freedom to express what he felt with them.
• An intimate and personal care for the members.
• An experience of brotherly warmth and family bonding.
• Jesus loved to spend time with each other
• He enjoyed their company and ate with them.
• His heart was deeply moved in sorrow at the loss of a dear friend.
• Jesus wept with them.

The Divinity of Jesus is seen as:

• Knowing well aware of His divinity He was sure that He is the beloved son of the Father.
• He said “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
• He knew that he has come from the Father and the father always hear/ listens to Him.
• He knew that he was the Divine not of the flesh but of the Spirit.
• Jesus was spiritually moved.
• He had the authority. Therefore, He said to the dead man, ‘Lazarus Come Out.’
• Jesus has the Power over Life and Death: Lazarus who was dead came back to life.

“Lord, if you had been here…”

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, three adult siblings from Bethany are friends and followers of Jesus. Lazarus has fallen gravely ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha send for Jesus, who is “across the Jordan” (10:40; 11:1-3). Jesus’ response to their situation seems surprisingly cool. “Though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was” (11:5-6). Jesus expresses confidence that Lazarus’ illness will not lead to death, but rather to the glory of God (11:4), yet by the time Jesus finally gets to Bethany, Lazarus is already dead and buried.

Jesus had seemed so slow in coming. It seemed as if he was too late. But with Jesus, we find out, it is never too late. Even when we are convinced that all is lost, even when we are ready to submit to the power of death, Jesus demonstrates that there is no loss, no tragedy, no power in Heaven or on earth or under the earth, that can place us beyond the reach of his infinite Love and abundant Life.

In the first reading we see the assurance of God for his people, “I will raise you up from your graves my people”. To have a Spiritual Life we need a Divine Death of ourselves, of our pettiness, anger, unforgiveness, lack of concern and empathy and so on… As Christians, the chosen ones we are called to believe beyond the life of flesh to a Spiritual life with the Resurrection. As St. Paul says “If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also through the Spirit dwelling in you”.  Death gives way to life and ends in glory. And so, our lives if we keep our eyes fixed on Him who is the Resurrection and the Life.

Prayer:

Lord, in the warfare of our lives come with your Spirit to take Control over us, come with your Light to enlighten us and lead us from the mortal life to a Divine Life with You. Help us in this lent to meet the Human in us with the Divine in you. Grant us grace to possess the Humanity and Divinity of Christ in our day-to-day activities. Amen.