5th Sunday of Lent

The 5th Sunday of Lent helps us think about death, new life, and hope in God. In Year A, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, showing His power and love. In Year B, we hear Jesus talk about the grain of wheat that must die to bring life, pointing to His coming death and Resurrection. In Year C, Jesus shows mercy to a woman caught in sin and invites her to live a new life.

All three years remind us that God offers mercy and new beginnings. We are called to turn away from sin and trust in God’s love. Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for Easter. These readings show that Jesus brings life where there is death, hope where there is sin, and peace where there is fear. The 5th Sunday of Lent is a time to let go of old ways and follow Christ more fully.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

5th Sunday of Lent Year A
5th Sunday of Lent Year B
5th Sunday of Lent Year C

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year A

The 5th Sunday of Lent Year A reminds us that Jesus brings life and hope even when things seem lost. In the Gospel, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and shows His power over death. The reading from Ezekiel speaks about dry bones coming back to life, showing that God can restore His people. The psalm asks God for mercy, and Romans teaches that the Spirit gives life. These readings invite us to trust God, even in times of sorrow or loss, because He can bring new life where there once was none.

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year A readings here.

• First Reading – Ezekiel 37:12-14: The prophet Ezekiel is given a vision of a valley filled with dry bones, which represent the people of Israel who are dead in their exile. The Lord promises to put his spirit within them and restore them to life, bringing them back to their own land.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 130: This is a psalm of supplication and trust in the Lord’s mercy and redemption. The psalmist cries out to the Lord from the depths and acknowledges that with the Lord there is forgiveness and plenteous redemption, and encourages Israel to wait for the Lord and trust in his word.
• Second Reading – Romans 8:8-11: Paul teaches that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God, but those who live according to the Spirit have the Spirit of Christ within them and will have life. He declares that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within believers and gives life to their mortal bodies.
• Gospel – John 11:1-45: Jesus receives news that his friend Lazarus is seriously ill, but waits to visit him until after he has died. When Jesus arrives, he raises Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating his power over death and prompting many to believe in him.

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year B

The 5th Sunday of Lent Year B helps us think about how new life often begins with sacrifice. Jesus uses the image of a seed that must fall into the ground before it can grow. He is speaking about His coming death and the life it will bring to many. The reading from Jeremiah speaks about God placing His law in the hearts of His people. Psalm 51 asks God to wash away sin and give a clean heart. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus stayed faithful even through suffering. These readings help us see that giving ourselves to God can lead to new life and hope.

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Jeremiah 31:31-34: God will make a new covenant with his people, which will be different from the old one. This new covenant will be written on the hearts of the people, enabling them to know God intimately and to obey him from the heart.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51: A prayer for God’s mercy and forgiveness, asking Him to create a clean heart within us and renew our spirits. The psalmist also expresses his desire to teach others God’s ways and lead them to repentance.
• Second Reading – Hebrews 5:7-9: Jesus is the perfect high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins and was obedient to God’s will, even unto death. Through his sacrifice, Jesus has made it possible for us to approach God with confidence and to receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
• Gospel –John 12:20-33: Jesus predicts his death and the need for us to follow and serve him, even if it means giving up our own lives for his sake. Through our service to Jesus and by giving up our lives for his sake, we can inherit eternal life and share in his glory.

Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year C

The 5th Sunday of Lent Year C points us toward God’s mercy and the chance to begin again. In the Gospel, Jesus meets a woman who is accused of sin. Instead of condemning her, He sends her away with a call to change her life. Isaiah speaks about God doing something new and making a path where none seemed possible. The psalm celebrates the joy that comes when God restores His people. Paul also reminds us to keep moving forward in faith and not stay focused on the past. These readings encourage us to accept God’s mercy and step into the new life He offers.

See resources, homilies, and more for the 5th Sunday of Lent Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Isaiah 43:16-21: God, who controls nature and armies, urges to forget the past and see His new works: paths in wilderness, rivers in deserts, providing for His chosen people, made to praise Him.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 126: When the Lord restored Zion, our joy was like a dream, filled with laughter and praise. Nations recognized His great deeds. We pray for continued restoration and joyful harvest.
• Second Reading – Philippians 3:8-14: Everything is considered a loss compared to knowing Christ. Righteousness comes from faith, not law. Striving to know Christ’s power and share His sufferings, we press on towards eternal life with Him.
• Gospel – John 8:1-11: At the temple, Jesus encountered a woman accused of adultery, brought by scribes and Pharisees seeking to trap him. He responded wisely, suggesting only a sinless person should cast the first stone. This led her accusers to depart, and Jesus, left alone with the woman, chose not to condemn her, advising her to abandon her sinful life.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible and the Lectionary both contain Scripture, but they are used in different ways. The Bible includes all the books of the Old and New Testaments and can be read in any order. It is used for study, prayer, and reflection. The Lectionary is a selection of readings from the Bible. These readings are arranged in a set order for Mass. This way, Catholics hear key parts of Scripture during the Church year.

The Lectionary is organized by seasons and feast days. It has readings for Sundays, weekdays, and saints’ days. Each reading has a lectionary number, which makes it easy to find. The Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle (A, B, C), and the weekday readings follow a two-year cycle (I and II). On the 5th Sunday of Lent, like other days, the readings match the season. They help focus on repentance and getting ready for Easter. The lectionary guides the Church through Scripture step by step.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

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Life Rising From The Stone

This image is available for subscribers to download and use in parish bulletins, newsletters, and other church communications. It works well for themes of Lent, renewal, mercy, and new life. The simple scene of spring growth and a butterfly resting on stone can help readers reflect on hope and the promise of Easter.

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The 5th Sunday of Lent brings us closer to Easter. The readings talk about death, mercy, and new life. In Year A, Jesus raises Lazarus from the tomb. This reminds us that Jesus brings life, even when hope seems lost.

In Year B, Jesus says that a grain of wheat must die to grow. He is speaking about His own death, but also about the way we must let go of selfish ways to live for God. In Year C, Jesus forgives a woman caught in sin. He tells her to sin no more. His mercy gives her a fresh start.

The 5th Sunday of Lent helps us reflect on our own lives. We are asked to turn from sin and trust in Jesus. He brings life to the broken parts of our hearts. He calls us to follow Him more closely as we near Holy Week.

The 5th Sunday of Lent invites us to think about our own need for mercy and new life. The readings show that Jesus brings hope where there is sin, and life where there is death. Whether it’s raising Lazarus, forgiving sin, or speaking about the grain of wheat, Jesus shows us the way to live.

Take time to read and reflect on these readings. Ask yourself where you need to let go or begin again. Share your thoughts in the comment section. Others may be helped by your story. Lent is not just about sacrifice. It’s also about trust, mercy, and walking closer with Christ.