Fifth Sunday in Lent 2025 John 12:1-8 Rev. Neli Miranda On the fifth Sunday in Lent, our Gospel readings shift from Luke to John’s account, where Jesus arrives in Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. As John details in the preceding chapter, this act by Jesus has placed the Jewish authorities on high alert. So, after this event, the chief priests and the Pharisees concerned about Jesus’ growing influence, called a council meeting and asked themselves, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs” (11:47). They feared the potential political repercussions of Jesus’ action in the eyes of the Roman authorities; thus, they begin to plot Jesus’ death. Aware that Jesus is coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, the chief priests and the Pharisees have given orders that anyone knowing his location should report it, so that they might arrest him and silence his message. Today’s gospel begins by no...