Scott Hahn, founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, reflected on the themes of faith, resurrection, and trust in God’s word in his commentary for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, released on March 20.
Hahn’s reflection centers on the Gospel account involving Lazarus, highlighting how this story points toward Jesus’ passion and death. He notes that details such as Mary anointing Jesus for burial and references to burial cloths foreshadow events at Jesus’ own tomb.
“Like the blind man in last week’s readings, Lazarus represents all humanity. He stands for ‘dead man,’ for all those Jesus loves and wants to liberate from the bands of sin and death,” Hahn said. He draws parallels between Lazarus’ experience and broader Christian beliefs about new life through Christ.
Hahn also connects these scriptural passages to Old Testament promises: “By his resurrection Jesus has fulfilled Ezekiel’s promise in today’s First Reading. He has opened the graves that we may rise, put his Spirit in us that we may live.” According to Hahn, faith is central: “Faith is the key. If we believe as Martha does in today’s Gospel, that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, even if we die, we will live.”
He concludes by urging readers to trust God’s assurances: “‘I have promised and I will do it,’ the Father assures us in the First Reading. We must trust in his word, as we sing in today’s Psalm, that with him is forgiveness and salvation.”
