A message from the Catholic Church Lenten Campaign – 5th Week of Lent–’I am going to awaken him’ [John 11:11]

We live in an age overwhelmed by an unprecedented deluge of information. Artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms now construct personalised “content bubbles” through precise recommendations, feeding us only what we wish to see. With a simple swipe of our fingers, we gain instant knowledge and connect with others across the globe—an advancement intended to enrich human life. Yet, beneath this digital convenience lies a concerning reality: a growing reliance on unverified claims and “alternative facts” rather than the pursuit of the objective truth.

In this landscape, sensationalist messages spread like wildfire, allowing raw emotion to bypass reason and permitting personal bias to overshadow reality. In an era where online traffic and “likes” reign supreme, we risk falling into a profound state of spiritual sleep, numbed by the flicker of our screens.

The Gospel of John recounts the moving narrative of Jesus calling his friend Lazarus back to the land of the living. When Jesus first learned of the illness, he told his disciples: “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him” [John 11:11]. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days—a state the world deemed final and irreversible.

Standing before the darkness of the cave, Jesus did not offer mere platitudes. He asserted with divine authority, “Your brother will rise” [John 11:23], and later declared the cornerstone of our faith: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” [John 11:25]. Then, crying out in a loud voice, He commanded: “Lazarus, come out!” [John 11:43]. The man who had been bound by the burial cloths of death emerged into the light. This was not merely a physical miracle; it was a cosmic wake-up call meant to stir the human heart from its lethargy.

Awakening from the Virtual Slumber

Our modern world desperately needs the same call. When individuals become entirely absorbed in virtual spheres or are led astray by the cacophony of false information, we require voices of “awakeners”, those who have the courage to shout, “Come out!” We must call one another to return to reality, to return to the tangible presence of our neighbours, and to return to the Truth that sets us free.

Those who propagate conspiracy theories or stir up social agitation are not necessarily malicious by nature. Many were once ordinary, well-intentioned people who were gradually consumed by the lure of digital fame, the dopamine hit of attention, or the weight of unresolved resentment. Often, they are not blind to the truth; they simply find it more comfortable to ignore it. 

These “sleeping” individuals—or those “pretending to sleep” to avoid the demands of reality—do not need our condemnation. Instead, they require a gentle but firm reminder that reawakens the conscience and restores their dignity as seekers of truth.

Jesus’ act of awakening Lazarus was intended to rekindle hope in the hearts of all who witnessed it, revealing that the light of truth eventually conquers the darkness of falsehood and death. As Christians, we are called to be “bearers of hope.” However, our hope is not a naive optimism or a refusal to see the world’s problems. Rather, it is a deep-seated conviction rooted in the Person of Christ.

To awaken others, we must first allow ourselves to be awakened. We must resist being swayed by fleeting trends or deceived by sophisticated lies. By remaining connected to the “Source of Truth,” we let his light guide our discernment. Our witness in this chaotic world does not stem from harsh criticism or eloquent rhetoric, but from the steadfast honesty commanded in the gospel: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’” [Matthew 5:37].

When confronted with unverified messages, we must choose to seek facts rather than hastily sharing rumours. When faced with social agitation, we must choose reason over reactive emotion. When facing injustice, we must stand firmly with the truth while accompanying those who are lost with love and patience.

Let us not be defeated by the scale of the world’s confusion or our own weaknesses. Let the true Light of Christ awaken us first and then empower us to bear witness to that light. Amid the storm of information, let us echo the words of the Master with humble confidence: “I will go to wake him.” We believe in the Risen Lord who triumphs over every falsehood. His truth will guide us through the fog of the digital age and make us true messengers of Hope.

Lenten Campaign Organising Committee, 2026