This week's readings Week of Mar. 17 - 23 Sunday, March 17, 2002 Reading I: Ezekiel 37:12-14 Reading II: Romans 8:8-11 Gospel: John 11:1-45 Monday, March 18, 2002 Reading I: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 Gospel: John 8:1-11 Tuesday, March 19, 2002 Reading I: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Gospel: Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Wednesday, March 20, 2002 Reading I: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 Gospel: John 8:31-42 Thursday, March 21, 2002 Reading I: Genesis 17:3-9 Gospel: John 8:51-59 Friday, March 22, 2002 Reading I: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Gospel: John 10:31-42 Saturday, March 23, 2002 Reading I: Ezekiel 37:21-28 Gospel: John 11:45-56 Pope's Prayer Intentions March General Intention That the Gospel of love may be the basis of our social programs: That the Gospel of love may manifestly and consistently be the basis of all our Catholic social programs. March Mission Intention Gospel-inspired reconciliation and solidarity among the people of Africa: That the people of Africa may embrace Gospel truth and love, and promote reconciliation and solidarity.

I have promised:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

As we follow the Lord Jesus during Lent, into the desert and then out of it, on the road to Jerusalem to the shame of the Cross, like him we must keep in mind the will of the Father and the glory promised to those who love him.

Readings for Fifth Sunday of Lent (March 17) Ezekiel 37:12-14 Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

Fasting, giving alms, praying -- these are the hallmarks of the spiritual life which we observe in a special way in Lent. Each in its own way represents our small participation with Jesus in his suffering and death.

By fasting, we discipline our bodies in solidarity with the poor, and with the crucified Jesus we say "I thirst" -- for justice, for peace, for righteousness, and for the life we await in God's kingdom. We recall that Jesus taught us that not by bread alone do we live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

By giving alms, we discipline our desire for material possessions, and by giving of what we have to serve the needs of others we show them the power of the Gospel -- more important to us than anything we can possess on earth -- and we invite them to become, with us, disciples of Jesus.

"Fasting, giving alms, praying -- these are the hallmarks of the spiritual life which we observe in a special way in Lent. Each in its own way represents our small participation with Jesus in his suffering and death."

By praying, we open our hearts to the Lord where he can see our praise and love for him, our thanks for his many gifts, our asking for what we truly need, and our sorrow for our sins. As Jesus did from the Cross, we glorify God while we forgive those who have wronged us. And as Jesus taught us, we beg forgiveness from God who has promised us his mercy and pardon.

The price of being a follower of Jesus is the Cross, the shame and sorrow, the pain and suffering which our sins have caused, the price of death which he paid in our place.

And what do we win? What is the glory promised to us? The prophet Ezekiel spoke of it long ago: "I will open your graves and have you rise from them," says the Lord. "I will put my spirit in you that you may live . . . I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord."

Such is the mercy and fullness of redemption that comes to those who obey the Lord and follow him.

Saint Paul reminds us that "you are in the Spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you . . . But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness." Then Paul, too, repeats what God told Ezekiel: "the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you."

Thus Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." Jesus tells us that "if you believe you will see the glory of God." It is Jesus who fulfills the promise of God to raise his people from the grave and fill them with the life of the Spirit.

This is the glory which awaits those who love God: life forever in the Spirit. God has promised, and he will do it!

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.