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Chi Rho Letters - Fifth Sunday of Lent

Mar 21, 2026 6:09 pm

March 22, 2026 - Volume II, Issue 4

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe"

St. Augustine of Hippo

Editor’s Note

There’s a big question that’s posed to us with this Sunday’s gospel, but before we get there, let’s look at what’s happening. It’s our third consecutive Sunday with John. First, we heard of the Samaritan woman and how her imperfect faith opened the door to having God work in her life. Then we heard of Christ healing the blind man and proclaiming he, Christ, is the light of the world.

Now, in John 11, we hear of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This is both the climax of the works and wonders shown in John’s gospel and the longest continuous narrative in John outside of the Passion itself. Here, we also see an irony – it is the moment where Jesus most clearly reveals His power over death and the moment that sets in motion the decision to put Him to death.

John’s use of people’s names here shows Christ’s familiarity with those that are asking for his help. Lazarus, Mary, Martha, living in Bethany – Christ knows these folks and locations. John spoils the following chapter in how he refers to Mary here, as the one who poured nard on Christ’s feet roughly a week before Passover. Mary approaches Jesus telling him that Lazarus is ill. What is significant in her phrasing is that she isn’t commanding but is presenting the issue with Christ with trust that he’ll know what to do with it. Great reminder to us that we don’t need to have the answers to our problems, we just need to present it to God and trust in His providence. Obvious problems I see from this week’s news round up include:

War in Iran (and Ukraine) including a close call at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
170 new martyrs in South Sudan
Mass attendance falling

At the same time, we should be receptive to God’s asks of us in response to the problems of the world. I would describe this as a spark of inspiration to respond and do something that makes sense, like the urge to give a homeless person something to eat or drink. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (basically, the Archbishop of Jerusalem), and pundit frontrunner of the 2025 Conclave, spoke out not only about the War in Iran, but also the framing that is being used to rationalize it. Responding to remarks by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who cited Psalm 144 during a March 10 Pentagon briefing, Cardinal Pizzaballa said believers must reject attempts to frame the conflict in religious terms. “There are no new crusades,” he said. “If God is present in this war, He is among those who are dying, who are suffering, who are in pain, who are oppressed in various ways, throughout the Middle East.” “This conflict has religious connotations, but they are manipulations: those who wish to bring religion into it exploit the name of God.” “What is built on violence perishes; it has no future, but it also creates a void around itself: fear, resentment, hatred — all that which, in Christian language, belongs to the world of death. It does not allow you to see anything beyond yourself.” See reference to the Cardinal’s remarks in this week’s Headlines.

Our gospel narrative continues with Jesus traveling to Bethany, despite threats by Jewish officials to stone Him. Christ tells His entourage that Lazarus has fallen asleep, and we again see the Johannine teaching pattern discussed a few weeks ago:

Christ begins with an ordinary, earthly image --> He said this, and then told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him" - John 11:11

The listener misunderstands in material terms --> So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” - John 11:12

Christ reveals the deeper spiritual meaning --> But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.” - John 11:13-15

The soul is gradually led toward truth --> So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.” - John 11:16

This cycle of teaching is extremely helpful when digging through John. Once you see it and know what to look for, it will jump out to you continuously.

We see this cycle once more when Jesus speaks with Martha.

Christ begins with an ordinary, earthly image --> When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days." - John 11:17 & Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” - John 11:23

The listener misunderstands in material terms --> Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." - John 11:24

Christ reveals the deeper spiritual meaning --> Jesus told her, “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” - John 11:25-26a

The soul is gradually led toward truth --> She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” - John 11:16

Lazarus has been dead four days. Long enough that decay has begun. Long enough that no one can mistake what is about to happen. Allegorically, the four days after Lazarus' death signifies four stages of spiritual death: dead through original sin, further darkened by the violation of natural law, hardened under the weight of the Law of Moses, and finally resistant even to the grace of the Gospel.

And yet, even from this fourfold death, Christ calls forth life.

“Lazarus, come out.”

This brings us to the big question this week. Jesus asks Martha this:

“Do you believe this?”

This week, let's challenge ourselves to reflect on our lives about this question. How does this come out in your everyday life? How does this manifest in your thoughts, in what words you use, in what activities you take part in. It is so easy to say that you believe with your lips, but how do you allow this to be evident? Is it as evident behind closed doors as it is when you're around your pew crew?

Luckily, going back a couple weeks to the Samaritan woman, God can work with our imperfect desire, as long as we let him in. If you’re stuck at, “God, I want to believe”, give yourself credit for having the want and for recognizing you may need time to grow. As long as you’re still wanting to believe (even if you don’t fully buy in yet), know that God’s grace is working with you and you’re not alone.

Just like I did for the past few weeks, I linked Aquinas' commentary on John in our Contemplative Corner. I would also encourage you to donate to Catholic Relief Services for those affected by the war in the middle east.

Please know of my prayers for you this week, and please pray that I may strive to believing more fully!

Sunday Readings

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Link

Reading 1: Ezekiel 37:12-14

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

Reading 2: Romans 8:8-11

Gospel: John 11:1-45

Collect:

By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God,

may we walk eagerly in that same charity

with which, out of love for the world,

your Son handed himself over to death.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Headlines

A few headlines that caught my eye this week:

Contemplative Corner

St. Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on the Gospel of St. John

St. Thomas’ commentary on the Gospel of St. John is unique among his many writings on Sacred Scripture. It is the work of a master theologian, delivered at the University of Paris, then the intellectual center in Christendom, when Thomas was at the height of his fame and apostolic zeal for souls. Here's a link to Chapter 11's commentary brought to us by St. Isidore's Forum.

Read: Aquinas' Commentary on John 11

Apostolate Spotlight

Catholic Relief Services - Focus on Middle East Conflict - Link

As conflict and displacement continue to affect communities across the region, Catholic Relief Services is working with trusted local partners to provide lifesaving assistance and support families forced from their homes. With your gift, families across the Middle East will continue to receive vital relief and care as they seek refuge and relief. Please give now to support families across the Middle East.

The Liturgical Week Ahead

Coloring indicates Liturgical Color, links provided to USCCB site.

March 23, 2026 | Monday | Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Optional Memorial: Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop)

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or Daniel 13:41c-62 | John 8:1-11

March 24, 2026 | Tuesday | Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Numbers 21:4-9 | John 8:21-30

March 25, 2026 | Wednesday | The Annunciation of the Lord

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 | Hebrews 10:4-10 | Luke 1:26-38

March 26, 2026 | Thursday | Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Genesis 17:3-9 | John 8:51-59

March 27, 2026 | Friday | Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Jeremiah 20:10-13 | John 10:31-42

March 28, 2026 | Saturday | Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Ezekiel 37:21-28 | John 11:45-56

Community Prayer Intentions

For Strength and Comfort

Families of Servicemembers
Those affected by the Iranian and Ukrainian wars
Myers Family
Demers Family
Pope Leo XIV

Eternal Rest

Noel Demers
Bernice Myers
Emma Niese
Chuck Norris
Cathy Whaley
Those killed in the wars in Iran and Ukraine
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Francis

Saints in Progress, pray for us!

Thank you!

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Please know of my prayers for you, and please continue to pray for me and my family. I’ll see you next time, but in the meantime, God Bless!

–☧ Rob

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