The long, densely layered account of the raising of Lazarus evokes many questions for anyone pondering this Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent, participating in the baptism of the elect during the Easter Vigil, or attending a funeral.

Today’s readings invite us to examine how we make significant choices. They offer Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an example for reflection. "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you…You have found favor with God" (LK 1:28, 30).

With Good Friday two weeks from today, the Church selects readings focusing on the hour when Jesus offered his life on the cross.

As God decides not to punish His people for their idolatry, so Jesus has not come to judge the world but to save it.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life.” With the sacrament of baptism, Christians live out these words, being crucified with Christ and rising to eternal life (Gal. 2: 20).

St. Joseph, we ask you to accompany us as we make this journey through the season of Lent. Be our protector and guide.

"If you meet me and forget me, you have lost nothing.  But if you meet Jesus Christ and forget him, you have lost everything.”

Creation is alive because of God—a truth, many do not recognize. But we do. So did the tax collector. He recognized this truth and the painful truth that he was a sinner.

We all have our temptations, and indeed, demons do exist. If we ever hope to share in the calm bliss depicted on St. Anthony’s face, then may God direct us to focus on Jesus’ power to heal and save our lives.

A fun road trip had suddenly, unexpectedly gone very bad. Before leaving the lot, I removed our personal things from the glove box and other storage with the last item being the crucifix hanging from the rearview mirror.

The Gospel today comforts us with an account of God’s mercy, but it also challenges us with the story of our own stubbornness.

What miracle can prove to us Jesus' divinity? What visible sign can make known to us what is invisible? Only faith can confirm such truths to us.

Jesus reminds us at the beginning of today’s Gospel passage and at the end, that he came to ransom many. I sit in the first pew on the right at Mass so that I can remove the distractions that threaten to take my mind from the sacrifice at hand.