Pastor’s Pen
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lent
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Dear Church Family,
On Ash Wednesday, during the giving of ashes, one of the prayers the minister prays as he gives each person the ashes is, “Repent and believe the gospel”. We can see that belief is necessary for salvation and an underlining point in nearly all the gospel readings in these Sundays of Lent.
On the 2nd Sunday of Lent, it was the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, John and James and a voice from heaven said to them, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” This listening was a call to believe in the teaching of his Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
In the 3rd gospel of Lent is Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. It was there that the woman discovered that Jesus was a prophet and Christ who told her all about her life. She not only believed in Jesus but many Samaritans of the town believed also and even invited him to stay with them and Jesus stayed there for two days for they had heard him by themselves and believed that he was the savior of the world.
Last Sunday we heard the story of the man born blind. The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents for which he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents.” He then worked a miracle where he spat on the ground, made clay with his saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes and asked him to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash. He did so and came back able to see again. He and many others believed in Jesus.
Today, it is about the death of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary. At the regret that if he had been there their brother would not have died. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and life, if anyone believes in me he would not die. Do you believe?” The said, “We believe,” He then said, “Lazarus come out.” The dead man came out. He said, “Untie him and let him go.” This is how their faith saved them.
Fr. Chris
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