Video: Journey to Easter 2026 - Fifth Sunday of Lent - 2026


In this fifth week of our Journey to Easter, Fr. Carl Schlichte reflects on the raising of Lazarus and the promise of the resurrection—revealing that death is not the end, but a passage into new life.

For many adult children of divorce or separation, experiences of loss, grief, or brokenness can feel overwhelming—like something has died within us. These wounds can tempt us to believe that hope is gone or that healing is out of reach. Yet the Gospel proclaims a powerful truth: Jesus has authority even over death itself. He calls each of us—personally and lovingly—out of the tomb and back into life.

In this reflection, Fr. Carl invites us to:

  • Trust in Jesus’ power to bring life out of even our deepest wounds

  • Hold fast to the hope of the resurrection—both now and in the life to come

  • See death not as an end, but as a transition into the fullness of life with God

As we draw closer to Easter, may this reflection strengthen your hope and renew your trust in Christ, who transforms even death into a path toward glory. Let us cling to the promise we proclaim each week: the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Reflection Questions for Small Groups or Individuals:

  1. What prevents me from whole-heartedly embracing Jesus’ promise of healing my wounds and resurrecting my body?

  2. In what parts of my life is Jesus calling me from death to life?

  3. What death-dealing wounds do I still need to surrender to Jesus to become life-giving?

Fr. Carl Schlichte, OP

Fr. Carl is a Dominican friar and priest of the Western Province and a California native. He attended the first Life-Giving Wounds retreat on the West coast. His parents divorced when he was 7.

https://opwest.org/fr.-carl-schlichte-o.p
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