THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
FIRST READING: Ez 7:12-14, GOSPEL: Jn 11:1-45
Dear friends,
Over the last weeks, we have witnessed thousands of people who have lost their lives due to the global epidemic of COVID-19. Tears have rolled down our cheeks, we have looked hopeless amidst this puzzling epidemic. Many questions have remained unanswered concerning God’s existence, love and concern for His People.
Our message of hope is in today’s First Reading and the Gospel. In the first reading, Prophet Ezekiel gives hope to his countrymen who are in exile in Babylon and are on the brink of despair. They seem dead, their temple is destroyed, their land is wasted, and they find themselves an enslaved people in a foreign land. Through Prophet Ezekiel God promises to open their graves and makes them rise from the dead. These are our words of hope designed to reassure, comfort and remind us that God has not abandoned his people.
In the Gospel Reading, St. John presents to us the story of the raising of Lazarus from death. Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, were Jesus' intimate friends. Jesus stayed with them when in Bethany. When Lazarus was sick, the two sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Master, the one you love is ill.” This was not only a simple message; it was also a prayer of love and trust.
In the raising of Lazarus from death to life, Jesus proves the truth: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in

me will never die.” Jesus demonstrated his power by raising Lazarus from death. Regeneration, resurrection and restoration are all possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is, humble ourselves, trust and allow Jesus to use us, more so during these trying moments of COVID-19.
Nothing in life is more certain than death. Yet, many people ask, 'After death, what?' Why the question in the first place? Or perhaps because death is the end of our plans and aspirations in life. Jesus, who says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” gives meaning to our pains, trials and even death. When we accept all these in faith and love, then our many other deaths acquire a special meaning. As followers of Jesus, we believe in the resurrection of the dead; that death is not the end of everything. Rather, it is just a passage into eternal life and that the life hereafter is only a continuation of this life. During the season of Lent, the Church invites us to die to ourselves - the only way for Jesus to become our Life and Resurrection. Then our resurrection from our many other deaths (pride, selfishness, hatred etc) will not come as a surprise when Easter comes. And this is the Good News of today.
Finally, Jesus is ever willing to help us no matter what it will cost him. It does not matter how long we have been spiritually dead or exiled. He knows us, loves, and calls us by our names as he called

Lazarus: “! Come out!” If we hear and obey his voice, then he will restore life to our weak and mortal bodies through the power of the Holy Spirit. This covid-19 may seems unbelievable in many ways. Let us abide by the guidelines given to us by our leaders. If we live by them, we will hear Jesus saying to the virus: "Unbind him, and let him go! Unbind them, and let them free! Unbind America, and let them free! Unbind Europe and let them free! Unbind Africa, and let them free! Unbind Asia, and let them free!! And ….." In many ways, we will see ourselves bound by things that lead to death. It is in the love of Christ( CARITAS) that we find ourselves "unbound" and fully alive.
Fr. Kyazze Frank Lwanga.