5th Sunday in Lent A

5th Sunday in Lent A

Death comes to us all and death affects us all in some way, shape or form. We cannot escape it for ourselves or for those we love. The saying goes, the only two things that are certain in life are death and taxes. And I think that there is another certainty and that is that we are never fully prepared for death when it comes visiting. It always leaves us shocked, upset and possibly angry.

We, here in St John’s, have lost two stalwart parishioners in these past few weeks in Frank Morris and Peggy McAllister; two people who had had really good spans of life, reaching 90+ and 100+ respectively. Two people who were active and visible within the parish right up to their dying days. Two people for whom we would say that death came too soon: too soon for us, their friends, neighbours and family.

If the timing of their death had been left to us then I have no doubt that they would be living still and for a long time to come!

But I had the chance to speak with Peggy often before her death and while she spoke very clearly and eloquently about her life, her loves, her friends and her carers, she also spoke very clearly about her time to go. She spoke of her faith and her belief in a God that loved her and wanted her to come home. She spoke of Our Lady and the love that she had for her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and how she showed that love in her love and care for Him throughout His life and through her interactions with the rest of humanity throughout history, giving us pointers and directions to help us on our way. Peggy’s belief in the resurrection of Our Lord and in the same for humanity was rock solid and profound.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls to Lazarus, “Lazarus, here. Come out!” And out from the darkness of the tomb and the blackness of death, Lazarus rose and came out of the tomb. In the midst of this grave, Lazarus hears Jesus call to him and responds. Jesus cuts through the veil of death and summons Lazarus to Him, summons him back to life.

The gospel shows that no matter the greatness of the individual person, death will still come calling; death cannot be avoided. But it also shows that Christ can show through death that He is the light of life that can shine through any tomb and any situation and bring that light into the lives of those around him. He will show His light in and on any and all lives. He will provide the light of life for every life if we but choose to see and choose to use it to help guide us through our lives and our living of those lives.

Peggy could clearly see what her life had been and who had been important in it. She could also clearly see her way ahead and while this way led to certain and she felt, quite imminent death, she was happy and content with the path. She was happy and content in the calling. She felt that she could hear Christ and Our Lady calling out to her that her time was done and that she could now come home.

How wonderful it must be to have a faith so strong that it lit up her face, her whole countenance and gave light to those in her company that they could see peace and harmony in her bearing. I have no doubt that when she died, she heard Our Lord and our Lady calling out to her, “Peggy, here. Come home.” And she did.

We pray for this same strength in faith. This clarity in our belief and this steadfastness in our feelings that will allow and enable us to put all our worries and cares into the hands of Our Lady and ask her to take them with her prayers through Jesus her Son to God our Father.

We pray for those who have died that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Amen

Bidding Prayers

1.      That we allow the light of Christ to brighten our lives and to remove all shadows and cares. Lord in your mercy

2.      That we put all of our trust in Jesus and ask that He take all our burdens onto Him and lighten our loads in life. Lord in your mercy

3.      That we seek every opportunity to help those around us who may be struggling with life’s burdens and take steps to help them where we can. Lord in your mercy

4.      That there is an increase in peace and harmony across our troubled world and a decrease in war and conflict especially in the Ukraine. Lord in your mercy

5.      That all parishioners who are suffering from poor health in mind, body or spirit receive the help they need, when they need it. Lord in your mercy

6.      That those who have died recently may find eternal rest with the Lord. Lord in your mercy

7.      That Mary our Mother and the mother of our Saviour may join her prayers with ours as we now pray together, Hail Mary, full of grace. . . .