Archbishop Lori Reflects on Faith, Mortality and the Journey to Eternity

Barcelona, Spain – In a homily delivered at the Basilica Santa Maria del Mar on March 22, 2026, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore drew parallels between the voyages of Christopher Columbus and the spiritual journey from life to death. He emphasized the importance of faith in navigating the uncertainties of both earthly exploration and the passage to eternal life.

A Venerable Setting for Reflection

Archbishop Lori began by acknowledging the historical and spiritual significance of the Basilica Santa Maria del Mar, noting that saints such as Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Borgia, and Vincent Ferrer had prayed within its walls. He also referenced the tradition that Christopher Columbus offered prayers at the cathedral following his first voyage to the New World, reporting the outcome to Queen Isabella.

The Voyage Within

The Archbishop used Columbus’s voyages as a metaphor for the individual’s journey from this life to the next, a journey often likened to the ancient River Styx, the mythical boundary between the world of the living and the underworld. He contrasted mythological understandings of death with the Christian perspective offered by Jesus Christ, who alone has power over life and death.

Jesus and the Confrontation of Death

Archbishop Lori recounted the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead after four days. He highlighted how Jesus did not immediately intervene but instead deepened Martha’s faith and lamented the death of his friend, emphasizing that death was never part of God’s original plan. Jesus, through prayer, demonstrated his power to overcome death, calling Lazarus forth from the tomb, bound but restored to life.

Freedom from Sin and Death

The Archbishop connected the resurrection of Lazarus to the Sacrament of Penance, explaining that through this sacrament, individuals are freed from the bonds of sin and given the opportunity to live for Christ and for eternal life. Lazarus’s release from his bindings symbolized humanity’s liberation from sin and death.

A Call to Faith and Preparation for Holy Week

Archbishop Lori encouraged the congregation to focus on their own spiritual voyage, a passage from sin to grace and from life to death, guided by Christ’s Cross and Resurrection. He noted that Lazarus would eventually die again, but Jesus, having risen from the dead, would never die again. He expressed a desire for God to grant believers not merely a longer life, but an imperishable one, a life that transcends death and leads to eternity.

He connected this reflection to the upcoming celebration of Holy Week, emphasizing its significance as the most sacred time of the Church year, a time to relive the events that brought new life in Christ. He urged those gathered, mindful of their namesake, Christopher Columbus, to resolutely navigate the ocean that can only be crossed with Jesus Christ, allowing his love to be their guiding star.