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Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

The story of Lazarus was always my favorite. Might be because he is from Bethany, might be that the easiest verse to memorize is from this story, “Jesus wept.” I have always believed in Einstein’s assessment that if you cannot explain something simply then one does not understand it well enough. “Jesus wept” is simple. There is so much to unpack in those two words and yet they can stand alone. Jesus’s care of humanity is deep, and it affects him. Even when he knows things will turn out okay, the pain we experience is valid enough to make him pause and lament with us.

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

Contents
"What Else Are We Supposed To Pray For?" by C. David McKirachan
"Be A Hero" by C. David McKirachan
"Our Story" by Frank Ramirez


What Else Are We Supposed To Pray For?
C. David McKirachan
Romans 8:6-11

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

Eternal life. Real life. We get up in the pulpit and promise the one after death and the other before it. What are we talking about? An endless succession of mornings where we get up, let the dog out, bring in the morning paper, and sit down to our first cup of coffee? That certainly sounds attractive to some of us, and perhaps appalling to others, but is that what scripture is telling us? Is that our faith? As we gather together, days before we observe our remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, let us consider a few things.

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

Psalm 130
In the week before Super Bowl LIV was to be played in Miami, on February 2, 2020, the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, Robert Saleh, explained the meaning behind the two bracelets that all the defensive players are wearing.

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

Death is difficult for anyone to understand and accept, and particularly difficult for children who usually have little concept of time. In this story Anita is angry with God, because her beloved Grandma has died.

Fifth Sunday in Lent - A

BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (C); Ezekiel 37:12-14 (RC); Ezekiel 37:1-3 (4-10) 11-14 (E, L)
God instructs Ezekiel to preach to the dry bones scattered over the valley floor and as he preaches to them they come together, as flesh and sinew cover them. The dry bones represent the people of Israel, who have been taken captive and live hopeless lives in a strange land. The message is that God will carry his people home and fill their lifeless carcasses with his Spirit. This word of hope helps lift the people from their depressed state.