New Life

Fifth Sunday of Lent

22 March 2026

 

First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11

Gospel: John 11:1-45

 

Reflection

By: Anton Ocampo

 

The narrative of Jesus restoring Lazarus back to life is featured in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. With this miracle, Jesus gives a glimpse of what is to come. Aside from showing love for His beloved friend from Bethany, who was already dead for four days by the time He arrived to perform this act, with this wonderous miracle, He gives us a glimpse of the glory He will attain once He rises from the dead. Lazarus was resuscitated or revived back to life upon the loud call of Jesus. On the other hand, Jesus will rise from the dead by His own power, proving that He is indeed the one true God who came to save humanity by His Holy Cross and Resurrection.

Interestingly, immediately after the narrative of this wonderous miracle, the next event that was featured was a session that was held by the Sanhedrin in response to what Jesus has done for Lazarus. A meeting was immediately summoned by the Sanhedrin so that its members would have the chance to discuss among themselves their next move. What will they do as a response to this miracle which was done by this popular preacher who came all the way from Nazareth? If He continues to perform deeds like this, His popularity will continue to increase which will cause them headaches in dealing with Rome. This is where Caiaphas, the high priest at the time, provided a solution – one man will die for the sake of the people (John 11:46-49). The man they chose to suffer and die for the sake of the people is none other than Jesus who they are greatly envious of and want to get rid of.

Even though Jesus was not there in the meeting that was convened by the members of the Sanhedrin, He knew what was in their hearts. He knew fully well that they wanted to kill Him. Despite knowing what was in their hearts and minds, Jesus did not have any regrets in leaving His heavenly kingdom to come to the world in order to save humanity. Not even the cruel plot of the Sanhedrin to put Him to death made Him regret coming to the world to save humanity through His Cross and Resurrection. This is evidence of His great mercy, compassion, and love.

As stated in the Responsorial Psalm, the Lord is full of mercy. This is the reason why He chose to save us. In fact, this is what the Lord clearly stresses in the words He says through the Prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading. In the Second Reading, the Apostle Saint Paul talks about the gift of new life that was given to us through Christ Jesus. In giving us the gift of new life, God has proven that He is indeed merciful, compassionate, and loving. God has willed that His Spirit lives in us in order for us to experience the change He gives. We no longer live in sin. Rather, we are created anew. We become people who are filled with holiness and righteousness, which is pleasing to Him. 

God is truly merciful, compassionate, and loving. Aside from giving each of us an opportunity to experience life here on earth, He also gives us the gift of new life. This gift of new life is a life filled with holiness and righteousness, which is truly pleasing to Him. By coming down from Heaven to assume the role of the promised Messiah and Savior through His only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus, He has freely given us this wonderous gift.

   

Prayer

Filled with heartfelt gratitude for the gift of life, we humbly praise, worship, thank, and exalt You, O Lord. We also humbly thank You for giving us the gift of new life, a life filled with holiness and righteousness. Like Lazarus who was raised back to life, may we always choose to listen and obey Your word and will. Amen.

Be Grateful and Share It!

“ Don't give in to discouragement....... If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.”

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43

And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Gospel: John 20:1-9

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."

Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad

Today is a joyful day. Jump for joy! Alleluia! It is a time to rejoice and be glad. It is Easter and grand time for celebration! Jesus is with us.  He is not dead, but alive.  And He has given us eternal life. And, that makes all the difference in the world in how much hope and courage we have, before any struggle, any possible fear of death. We thank God for the foundation of our faith is Jesus’ resurrection. Without His resurrection our faith has no meaning. Jesus triumphed over death. He lives in our hearts until today!

But we cannot keep this joy to ourselves. We cannot keep this good news to us alone. We must share it to everyone especially to those who do not know Jesus yet. To those people who have never experienced the unconditional love and mercy of God. Those who have not experienced the compassion of a loving Father and the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus because all their lives they have been rejected, abandoned, unloved, unsuccessful in whatever they do, losing, “unchurched”, lonely, very sick. Let us not be quick to judge people no matter how sinful they may seem. Let us remember that every person is a temple of God. There is something good in every person waiting to be uncovered. So let us share Jesus to them that they may also experience the joy that we experience today.

This Easter Sunday we also renew our baptismal promises. Because of the gift of Baptism, there is new life germinating within us, pointing us toward the future when we too “will appear with Him in glory.” There is a new life in Christ in His resurrection. And I hope that most of us went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Holy Week to repent for our sins for it was our sins that brought Jesus to the cross. Going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sign of humility, humbling ourselves before God, asking for forgiveness and being renewed to a life with Christ. That His light may shine upon us and we will be Jesus to others everyday!

Each morning  on this Easter week, we can pause for a moment and simply thank God for our being alive everyday. Even more, we can thank God for the life that Jesus won for us. Throughout the day, and at different brief moments, we can remember that this is Easter Week and ask to live more freely, more gratefully, willing to serve the people of God and share His LOVE.

Celebrate our new life with Jesus and shine His light to others!

Happy Easter everyone!

Prayer

Dear God, raise me up! Renew my life! 
I see the light again! 
I was in darkness and had lost hope 
but Jesus Christ, Your Son, 
has won over death - for me. 
I celebrate today Your love, the life You give me. 
I feel Your presence as You breathe on my mind 
and open my heart. 
So many times in my life my eyes are closed 
but today I see Your Risen Son and my Lord 
in the breaking of the bread. 
Thank You for this morning of hope, 
thank You for such incredible love. I am alive again in Jesus’ Name. Amen.