Come back to life in Jesus
It is thought that St. John wrote his gospel in Ephesus, about 70 years after Jesus’ death. Ephesus was a sophisticated city, a center for trade, learning, government and religion. But it was also a place where early Christians were persecuted and martyred. Some in the church had even betrayed by their own family members. Others stayed loyal to their faith and subsequently suffered martyrdom professing their Christian faith. John frequently alludes to the sufferings Christians must bear in their lives and the glory that awaits them in the next. In the voice of Jesus, he states; “I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies it produces much fruit.” The fruit is bringing people into the Body of Christ by the way we live and witness Him. Ways that include hope in Him, perseverance and endurance that demonstrates faith.
And Ezekiel the prophet tells us today that when God is involved, nothing is hopeless. God makes a promise, “I will open your graves and have you rise from them and bring you back to the land of Israel.” God did fulfill that promise and the people were brought back home. They were raised from their graves of exile and from the hell of being cut off from their religion and worship. Returned to their homeland and freedom, they became a new people through the Spirit of God. The prophet assures us; God has power over death in all its forms. Which is what John tells us in today’s gospel, the powerful story of the raising of Lazarus who was brought baxck to everyday life, but through re-birth in Jesus.
In many ways the good news of our gospel today is the shortest sentences in the Bible: “And Jesus Wept.” It is an incredible presentation and reflection of the depth and the fullness of Jesus’ humanity and the power of his love that he holds open to each of us. The Lord repeatedly gives us another chance to live fully in him here and now —and isn’t that why we come here each week to have a rebirth in Jesus
“And Jesus Wept. So some of the Jews remarked, ‘See how he loved him!’ We claim his love over and over, but do we live His love that allows us to be raised up — here and now? Maybe it is parts of ourselves that we may have somehow buried in this life that requires our conversion-a new way of living? What would cause him to weep for us?
Perhaps the loss of our original zeal we once had for the gift of life itself—or the love of being a Christian —that has ebbed — died-down. Maybe we have lost some of our passion for life, our curiosity, the sense of wonder we once had — and we have become somewhat lifeless, indifferent to the beauty that surrounds us. Have we buried parts of our creativity, our playfulness, our joy and humor? Perhaps we have deadened ourselves from making the efforts to connect with one another in our families, our workplace, or our parish.
Today’s gospel story is hugely important to our salvation because of the consequences; it explains what precipitated the death of our savior. He will give Lazarus life, but at the cost of his own. The name Lazarus means “God helps.” Bethany means, “House of Affliction.” This is our story and the story of our world – we need God’s help in our “houses of affliction.”
We are sent Jesus the healer who reveals the God of life to us, the One who has power over death. Jesus doesn’t put death off for a while; he conquers the many deaths and graves we face while we live. As someone once said Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies within us while we live.
Perhaps we’ve become numb seeing life as dull and need to open our hearts to the call of Jesus. Maybe it is the desire and need to rise up to a life of gratitude for blessings and beauty that surround us and give thanks each morning—lift up our eyes at the sunsets and sunrises. Maybe it is a life that has suffered from addictions placing a heavy dark pall over their life needing to rise up and risk a new life in recovery by help of professionals and spiritual depth in Jesus.
Perhaps marriage has lost its zest for life, and has become a deep fog for both partners as they mumble through numbing routines that have buried their love. They need to hear Jesus and respond to his call to come out to new life in Him. Start by praying out loud and together for one another.
We experience death in too many forms to name. However, the gift of Lent includes a reminder of the healing love, mercy and new life the Lord calls us to, and that can begin with the sacrament of Reconciliation. This Tuesday we will have our Communal Lenten Penance Service along with the beautiful music of Taize. Come out!
For all of us can enter our hearts, find things that aren’t good, and come to the Lord for correction and healing. One simple act of repentance in the Sacrament provides us with a life we hunger for and want—with peace and harmony with joy and GRATITUDE!
When we accept reconciliation we are brought back to life again, we feel His light inside us, and we become joyful. GRATITUDE is the key to new life, finding blessings in the everyday, looking for ways to rise up again in the Lord’s love for us, helping Him to raise-up others.