Unpacking The Mass with Keith Nester

Episode: 5th Sunday in Lent – Year A
Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Unpacking The Mass, Keith Nester prepares listeners for the upcoming Fifth Sunday in Lent by exploring the Mass readings: Ezekiel 37, Romans 8, and John 11 (the Raising of Lazarus). The central theme is resurrection—not only in the sense of bodily resurrection but also the resurrection of broken hearts, dreams, and relationships. Keith invites listeners to engage with the Scriptures on a personal level, emphasizing that understanding death through the lens of resurrection leads to hope, faith, and new life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Facing Resurrection Through the Lens of Death and Hope

• Theme Introduction (00:48)
  Keith explains why resurrection is a tough subject—because resurrection requires death. He expresses empathy for those mourning or facing loss and sets the tone:

  “If we just view our life through the lens of death, then we will become hopeless. But if we view our lives through the lens of the resurrection, then even in the midst of the shadow of death, friends, we will trust the Lord and walk in His grace.” (01:36)

• Prayerful Opening (04:08)
  Keith prays for listeners, especially those grieving or facing mortality, asking God to grant them faith, hope, and love rooted in the reality of resurrection.

2. Unpacking the Readings

First Reading: Ezekiel 37 (05:03)

• God promises the exiled Israelites that He will open their graves and restore them.
• Keith draws parallels to exile as a “type of death”—not always literal, but also the loss of dreams and identity.
• Notable insight:

  “Resurrection isn’t just about death. It’s about the restoration of broken dreams and broken hearts.” (11:46)

Second Reading: Romans 8 (08:15)

• St. Paul contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit.
• Even if bodies are subject to death due to sin, the Spirit brings life.

  “If all of our life is about what happens to us here and now... that is not a life pleasing to God. Because God is viewing our life not through the lens of this world, but of eternity.” (18:44)

• Personal anecdote: Keith shares about dying to the dream of being a professional musician—how surrender leads to new life in Christ.

Gospel: John 11 – The Raising of Lazarus (09:54)

• Keith reads the passage in full, highlighting the emotions and confusion of Mary and Martha.
• He notes the depth of Jesus’ empathy (“Jesus wept”, 24:45) and the significance of the miracle preparing the way for belief.

3. Personal Application & Faith in Trials

• Lament and Honest Prayer (34:08):

  “Sometimes our prayers need to be a little less composed and a little more heartfelt, a little more raw, a little more real. Because what Jesus is after aren't the perfect words of a prayer. What Jesus is after is the real you.” (38:35)

• Running to Jesus in Pain (36:52):

  • Mary and Martha confronted Jesus with their sorrow—not hiding their pain.
  • Keith urges:

    “No, run to Him. Run to Him in your pain. Run to Him in your hurt. And through your tears, cry out to Him, 'Lord, if you’d have been here, my brother would not have died.'” (40:35)

• Jesus’s Empathy (42:41):

  • Jesus is not immune to suffering—He feels the pain along with the mourners.
  • “He wasn’t immune to that back then, and guess what? He’s not immune to it now. He feels the suffering that you feel. Even though He has a plan, even though it’s part of His plan, He feels that pain.”

4. Lessons from Jesus, Mary, and Martha

• Jesus’ plan is bigger and may involve suffering, but it results in new life.
• Even in suffering, we’re called to trust God’s timing, not our own.
• Notable exchange:

  “Do you believe this?”
  -- Jesus
  “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the son of the living God.”
  -- Martha (48:55)

5. Faith and Obedience: Rolling Away the Stone (54:10)

• Keith highlights the physical act Jesus asks of others: "Take away the stone."

  “There are times in our lives when we have to participate in this resurrection... Sometimes what the Lord is calling us to do is an act of faith and an act of obedience.” (57:18)

• Application: Obstacles (stones) in our lives—unforgiveness, pride, comfort—may need to be removed for God’s miracle to occur.
• Memorable analogy: Even if Lazarus is raised but the stone blocks the entrance, it’s futile. We must respond, remove barriers, and be open to God’s work.

6. Responding to the Call: “Lazarus, Come Forth” (01:02:41)

• Resurrection is not passive; Lazarus has to respond to Jesus' invitation to new life.
• Keith challenges listeners:

  “Maybe it’s time for you to do it anyway. Maybe Jesus has been calling to you... now the Lord is saying to you, 'It’s time. Let’s go. Come forth.'” (01:05:15)

7. Foreshadowing and the Resurrection of Christ (01:07:40)

• The story of Lazarus points directly to Christ's own resurrection.
• Because Jesus conquered death, we too can experience resurrection—of soul, heart, and, one day, body.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trusting God in Suffering:

  “None of this happened because He didn’t love them... He chose them for this, especially because He loved them. And you need to remember that He loves you, too. Even in the hard times, even amidst the death, even amidst the broken heart, He loves you.” (44:32)

• Confession of Faith:

  “‘Do you believe this?’... I wonder if that was the pivotal moment right there, when Jesus asks her, do you believe this? And she said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ I wonder if that was the moment when Jesus was like, 'All right, this is happening.'” (48:30)

• On Faith and Participation:

  “What stone? What barrier have you been leaving in the way that keeps God's miracle from happening? Take that stone away.” (59:40)

• On Jesus’s Empathy:

  “He feels the suffering that you feel. Even though He has a plan, even though it’s part of His plan, He feels that pain.” (42:52)

• On Personal Application:

  “Sometimes the thing we need most from the Lord isn’t for Him to fix everything for us. I know we’d like that. But what we need more than anything is for Him to be with us. To be with us in our pain. And that’s what we’re promised by God.” (43:18)

Important Timestamps

• Theme Introduction & Prayer: 00:48 – 04:25
• First Reading (Ezekiel 37): 05:03 – 08:15
• Second Reading (Romans 8): 08:16 – 09:53
• Gospel Reading (John 11, Raising of Lazarus): 09:54 – 29:54
• Personal Application & Faith in Trials: 30:00 – 44:00
• Jesus’s Empathy & Comfort: 42:41 – 45:00
• Lessons from Martha & Mary; Confession of Faith: 46:05 – 50:38
• Rolling Away the Stone: 54:10 – 01:02:40
• Responding to God’s Call (“Come Forth”): 01:02:41 – 01:07:39
• Parallel to Jesus’ Resurrection: 01:07:40 – End

Structured Summary Wrap-Up

• Prepare for Mass: Approach the readings with openness to both the suffering and hope they entail.
• Trust in Christ: Even in times of death and loss, put faith in Christ’s love and greater plan.
• Participate in Resurrection: Remove obstacles in your life, respond to Jesus’s call, and be open to new life.
• Jesus is Present: He weeps with us, loves us in our darkest valleys, and calls us to faith.

Final Encouragement:

“Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Trust him. Stay strong in your belief. Roll away the stone and come forth.” (01:10:45)

For anyone faced with sorrow, struggle, or loss, this episode offers reassurance: Resurrection is not just a future promise—it’s a present reality we are invited to participate in by faith, obedience, and trust in Christ.