Fifth Sunday in Lent
John 11:1-53
As our season of Lent 2005 comes to a head, we continue to be confronted with our own mortality. What was kicked off with Ash Wednesday—"you are dust and to dust you shall return"—continues in the little town of Bethany. The wages of sin is death, and Lazarus has received payment; he lies in the tomb, his body rotting and decaying as the physical effect of sin takes its toll—lying there four days, a bad odor has no doubt formed.