Lent, 5th Sunday (A) It is never too early to plan your funeral! At least write a few things down: what church, what cemetery, what funeral home, what do you want to wear at your funeral?

Jesus totally disappoints his friends. They tell him that their brother, his friend, is sick. He totally ghosts them. Jesus doesn't show up until after the funeral is over. When he finally turns up, his friends say what we've all thought a time or two: "Lord, if you had been here my brother, sister, parent, child... would not have died!"

Jesus cries with them. Then he offers them new life. Whoever has Christ, has life. Jesus calls his friend by name... and gives him new life. The human race has been "tied" by burial bands. Jesus wants to untie us and set us free. We cannot expect to rise with Christ if we have not died with Christ. Are you prepared for your funeral? Are you prepared for your Friend to raise you from the dead?

(22 Mar 2026)

Going Deeper: Make a funeral plan. Talk to your loved ones about it. Then talk to them about the Resurrection of the Dead and Life Everlasting.

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