YEAR A: HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT

HOMILY THEME: GOD WILL RESTORE HIS CREATION

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

 

HOMILY: READINGS: EZEKIEL 37:12-14, PSALM 130, ROMANS 8:8-11, JOHN 11:1-45

Dear friends, our Lord is the sustainer, redeemer and protector of human life. One day he’s restoring sight to a man blinded from birth (Jn. 9:6-7), or he’s healing the official’s sick child (Jn. 4:46-50). Another day, we see him curing the invalid at the pool of Behseda of his protracted paralysis (Jn. 5:5-9), or he is reminding us in John 5:21 that he is the giver of life and whosoever hears his word and believes God, has eternal life. Today, Jesus is given to us as one who not only heals the sick and sustains life, but as one who restores lost life; physical or otherwise. May he heal the victims of Coronavirus, protect those exposed to the pandemic and Grant eternal rest to those who have died. Amen.

The prophecy of Ezekiel was given about 597 B.C to the exiles of Israel whose sins had led them away from the loving care of God. Greater misfortunes lay in wait for them but as was customary with the prophets then, Ezekiel promised them a time of restoration. This time was likened to a time of the resurrection, revival, renewal and restoration. It was a moment when the dry bones of Israel (the exiled) would return and their glory, hitherto had, but lost to the Babylonians would be restored. The Israelites at this time despaired like Mary and Martha did over the death of their beloved brother, Lazarus; like humanity is doing now given the menace of Coronavirus. Just then, before they (Israelites) lost all hope, God’s prophet came encouraging them to hang on, for better days lay ahead. Also, just when Mary and Martha thought of giving up, Jesus came with new life; better life hence he restored the lost joy and happiness of Lazarus’ sisters. May He will come through for us in this trying times too. Amen.

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Beloved friends, we see in God today, a Father who wouldn’t forsake his rebellious children; one who still addresses us; ‘O my people’, who would open up our graves raise us up, and in order to make us new, he’d put his spirit within us and sustain us. We also see in Christ today, our brother and true friend; a human with feelings and sincere compassion who loves and cares for his own. We see in him one feels our plight and goes on to do the needful. Indeed we see in him, a Father, a brother and friend; a helper who wouldn’t abandon us to suffer alone. For the love of his friend Lazarus, he damned the stench of his corpse, opened the tomb and raised him to life; the things one does for love.

Let us be reminded today that our God loves us greatly and will never forsake us (Psa. 94:14). He wouldn’t leave us to despair but come to our aid as he did the Israelites. When the world and its institutions give us every reason to be lost; may we put our trust in him and we shall be restored to hope and new life. Let us be reminded too that the pains and plights of our friends should mean everything to us. And just like Jesus, we should take proactive measures towards alleviating same pain. Besides, may we learn to approach Christ as the author of our lives and striving to let his spirit into our lives, may we gain the prize of immortality in heaven. Amen.

FEED AND EDUCATE ONE.

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