Monday Fifth Week of Lent
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Ezekiel 37:12-14, Psalm 130:1-8 Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45
Waiting in line for Reconciliation in the quiet chapel of a small-town church, my youngest son, who stayed up far too long the night before, dozed off in the pew next to me. I was reminded of a joke I’d heard; about a young boy whose grandmother paid him $10 to wake his grandfather if he noticed him sleeping in Mass. The grandmother noticed after Mass one week, the boy failed to wake his grandfather, who fell asleep, as usual, during the homily. “Why didn’t you wake your grandfather?” she questioned the boy, “Because he paid me $20 to let him sleep” he replied.
I began thinking of how much easier it is to stay “asleep”. With school, activities, sports, household obligations, finding time for some kind for ourselves, all of the burdens and cares that we carry throughout every day, it can be incredibly difficult to prioritize Jesus and to be “awake” in the marvelous life He calls us to with him. To be filled by living the life of faith to which we are called. Every worldly care, every “I’m too busy” or “I’m too tired”, every sin…becoming a brick in the tombs we build around ourselves. But we are not called to sleep in the darkness.
The call of Jesus to his beloved friend, “Lazarus! Come out!” echoes in all of our lives every day! He rolls the stone away from our tombs. He calls us to life through the Sacraments. He calls our priests, deacons, catechists, family, and friends, to help unbind our burial wrappings, to allow us to walk Him, awake and alive, in the light of the day.
Jeremy Keenan-Kingston is a longtime member of Holy Family with his wife Amber and their four children. He enjoys spending time with his family, especially outdoors, reading, music, and participating in church and community activities.
