Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year A

March 26, 2023

            The psychologist William James developed a profile of those most likely to be open to dramatic, life-altering religious conversions and those less likely to experience significant religious conversions.  Those open to conversion he calls “sick souls.”  Those who are blithely content with their life and beliefs, he calls “healthy-minded.”  The “healthy-minded” are smugly complacent, don’t go looking for conversion experiences and are not likely to be found by them.  The “sick souls,” however, are aware that all is not well in themselves and their world.  They are aware of their spiritual inadequacies and inconsistencies.  They possess a kind of divine discontent, a desire for wholeness and a sense of the sacred that opens them to the healing touch of God.

          While we might question James’ use of the word “healthy-minded” to describe someone who is closed to growth, it seems that he may be on to something about the “convertible” personality

          The message sent to Jesus by his dear friends Martha and Mary is that their brother, whom Jesus loves, is sick.  When Jesus hears the message, he is quick to point out that this illness will not lead to death but to renewed life and God’s glory.

          This brother and his sisters could easily be described as shaken, “sick souls,” whom were overwhelmed by the ambiguities and evils they perceive, and who, in turn, were touched by Jesus and made whole.

          Anyone who has experienced conversion, who has undergone some grand-or modest-return to God has certainly experienced some sickness, even some symbolic death in the process.  Some part of themselves and their life led them to a strong desire for more that opened them to the healing touch of Christ.

          When Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, we are told that Lazarus was bound from head to toe and Jesus said, “Untie him and let him go.”  This great sign of life-giving was not just for Lazarus.  We, too, need to let go from that which kills life within us.

          The process of conversion puts us in touch with those things that bind us-our personal and spiritual inadequacies, inconsistencies between our beliefs and our actions, our divided selves yearning for wholeness-in short, our sinfulness.  Once unbound, we are free to be receptive to and rerouted by whatever transforming experience God may be showing to us.

          Jesus’ words, “Untie him and let him go,” are spoken to us as well as Lazarus.  It is when we are with people who love us that we can be most open to letting go of that which binds us and most receptive to that which God shows to us.  It is when we are with people who love us that we can be our best selves and develop those gifts that others see and call forth from us.  It is when we are with people who love us that our “sick souls” are most convertible, that we have the courage to fulfill the mission God has in store for us.  Being among supportive and loving friends provides the opportunity to grow in self-knowledge and confidence. 

          This time of Lent is a journey to conversion, a time for our “sick souls” to be raised up.  In the sharing of the Eucharist we are nourished for such conversion.  And so we gather around this table to break and share the Bread of Life once again – and ultimately to be healed by that which we consume.

          As we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we ask God once again, to free us from the grasp of death due to sin and deliver us from a spirit of corruption and enticement by the evil one. 

          We ask God, to free us from the sins that bind us and place us all under the protection of His Holy Spirit, and to fill us with faith, hope and charity, so to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Sacramental joy of Easter!