This Sunday’s Gospel reading from John recounts the raising of Lazarus.

In the face of death, the Lord’s humanity bears witness to his love for us, his friends.

Francis of Assisi too, sensitive to the sufferings of the people, worked throughout his life and in death as an instrument of God, a sower of true life.

The Sources, in the Major Legend, offer us pearls of life passed down to us.

“In the village of Pomaranico, situated amongst the mountains of Puglia, a married couple had a single daughter, of tender age, dearly loved. But a serious illness led her to the grave.

Her parents, despairing of having any other heirs, considered themselves dead along with her.

Relatives and friends came for that funeral, so worthy of tears; but the unhappy mother, lying overwhelmed by unspeakable grief and submerged in infinite sadness, was unaware of what was taking place.

Meanwhile, Saint Francis, accompanied by a single friar, deigned to visit the desolate woman in a vision, knowing her well as his devotee.

Speaking to her with compassion,

«Do not weep», he said to her, «for the light of your lamp, which you mourn as if it were extinguished, shall be restored to you through my intercession».

The woman rose immediately and, telling everyone what the Saint had said to her, forbade the burial from proceeding; then, invoking the name of Saint Francis with great faith, she took her dead daughter by the hand and, alive, well and safe, raised her up, to the amazement of all” (FF 1264).

The Supreme Witness of the faith, Francis, acted in such a way as to give glory to the Eternal One in the presence of all, testifying that Jesus is truly

the resurrection and the life, for whoever believes in Him, even if they die, will live.

«I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if they die, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?» (Jn 11:25–26)

5th Sunday of Lent A (Jn 11:1–45)