Preacher's Sketchbook 

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World

Faith is always a path. As long as we live we are on the way, and on that account faith is always under pressure under threat... they can only mature by suffering in you, at every stage in life, depression and the power of unbelief, by admitting its reality and then finally going right through it, so that again finds the path of opening ahead for a while.

John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew

Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, all the dramatic events of the last day envisioned by Jewish apocalyptic -- resurrection from the dead, eternal life in heaven -- have collapsed into the present moment and into the person who dares to say simply" ‘I am.' In effect, Jesus says to Martha, ‘Martha, the resurrection you are looking for is looking at you.'

Pope Benedict XVI, Lenten Message FEB. 22, 2011

The resurrection of Lazarus, brings us to face "the ultimate mystery of our existence. Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him, Faith in the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life open our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrection and life."

St. John Chrysostom, Homily 62

Many men, when they see any of those who are pleasing to God suffering anything terrible, as, for instance, having fallen into sickness, or poverty, and any other the like, are offended, not knowing that to those especially dear to God it belongs to endure these things; since Lazarus also was one of the friends of Christ, and was sick.  

St. Augustine, Sermon 17

[T]he sinner is dead, especially he whom the load of sinful habit presses down, who is buried as it were like Lazarus. For he was not merely dead, he was buried also. Whosoever then is oppressed by the load of evil habit, of a wicked life, of earthly lusts, I mean, so that that in his case is true which is piteously described in a certain Psalm, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God," he is such an one, of whom it is said, "Confession perishes from the dead, as from one that is not." And who shall raise him up, but He who when the stone was removed, cried out, and said, "Lazarus, Come forth?" Now what is to "come forth," but to bring forth what was hidden? He then who confesses "comes forth." "Come forth" he could not were he not alive; he could not be alive, had he not been raised again. And therefore in confession the accusing of one's self, is the praise of God. 

The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A):

First Reading: Ez 37:12-14
Second Reading: Rom 8:8-11
Gospel: Jn 11:1-45

Sunday Preachers Resource

SPR for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Additional Preaching Resources

• Fr. Francis Martin Website
• Biblius Clerus, a resource of the Congregation for the Clergy 
• The Catena Aurea of St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P., for the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John