Jesus’ mission restores us from death to life. 03/22/26. Chima Offurum. 

At the beginning of this weekend’s first reading (Ezekiel 37:12-14), one line stood out and shaped the theme of this reflection: from death to life. That line emerges from God’s promise to open our graves and raise us (Ezekiel 37:12). Though originally spoken as a message of restoration and renewal for the exiled people of Israel in Babylon, it extends far beyond that moment. It resonates with the entire mission of Christ, a promise we echo at every Mass when we proclaim the mystery of our faith after the consecration.

Because with the Lord there is fullness of mercy and redemption (Psalm 130:7), those who are dead in sin are given the hope of rising again to new life (Romans 8:8-11). Today’s Gospel (John 11:1-45) makes this promise tangible in the raising of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary in Bethany. In this sign, we see not only a miracle but a revelation, an anticipation of what Christ intends for all who believe.

In the gospel acclamation, Jesus declares: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live” (John 11:25-26). In these words, beloved brethren, Jesus summarizes His mission to (technically) move us decisively from death to life, transforming our mortal condition into the promise of immortality. The choice of words in this promise is not a mere symbolic language; it is the core of the Christian proclamation of our faith and the foundation of our hope. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

As we draw closer to Easter, now just two weeks away in the great Passover of our salvation, the Church summons us today to intensify our preparations. This period is a time to reconcile with God and with one another (by confessing our sins), to deepen our charity, and to attend to our spiritual and personal well-being. The Church provides the structure, but we must respond with intentional commitment. Just as the Spirit assured St. Paul that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), so, too, is that grace sufficient for us to persevere, to complete the journey, and to attain the crown of victory through faith.