Fifth Sunday In Lent

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

​Every few days of late there have been changes into how we need to co
-operate and do things. This is as it should be as it is imperative that we all keep ourselves at home as much as possible. We are facing the most signifi- cant health crisis since the Spanish Flu in 1918-19. We have not yet hit a peak number of infections in Victoria. Let us hope and pray that with more people doing the right things (social distancing, washing hands frequently and staying home) that we will all make it through. I hope to not take any parishioner’s funerals as a result of this pandemic. I want to see you again all alive and healthy!
That’s enough doom and gloom for now. What we do find in our Scripture passages for today is some hope. What is important in this time, as well as focusing on our physical well-being is to also focus on our spiritual nature too. As Paul wrote in today’s reading from the Letter to the Romans “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Whilst Paul would never have envisaged the current context, can we though take this to mean, ‘Don’t feel too consumed by the COVID-19 crisis. Take it seriously! Yet by by also setting our mind on the spiritual life we share with God in Christ, we find a deeper and more meaningful life. As followers of Jesus he dwells in us as we share our lives by faith in him.
The Gospel passage too offers a sense of great hope as we like Mar- tha, Mary, the disciples and other eye-witnesses are confronted with the rais- ing of Lazarus. He has been dead in a tomb for four days. Yet as the Gospel account tells us Jesus calls “Lazarus, come out.” He raise to new life. It is a testament to a life beyond this life. An eternal life where there is no suffering, no crying, no pain. Thanks be to God who enables such a victory.
Stay safe and well this week. Fr Ian