Today we hear the third of the great Lenten conversion stories, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, John 11:1-45. The first was the story of the Samaritan Woman who comes to believes that Jesus is the Messiah who will give us living water. The second is the healing of the man born blind who Jesus heals. He is no longer blind. Now he can see the world, and he can see that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus brings light into all darkness.
Jesus was a frequent visitor at the home of Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. When Jesus hears that Lazarus has died, he waits four days to go to the house. After that much time, the body of Lazarus would have begun to decay. Martha expresses belief that Jesus is the Christ and also her belief that “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Her faith seems without limits. And yet, when Jesus tells them to take away the stone at the tomb, she has accepted the reality of death: “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. Jesus is “the resurrection and the life.”
Prepare for this Sunday by reflecting on these questions: In what areas of my life do I need Jesus to heal me and give me new life? What needs to happen for me to be free of things that lead me away from God? What “resurrection moments” have occurred in the course of my life?
Consider these words from today’s Collect (Opening Prayer): “By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, your Son handed himself over to death.” Rewrite this prayer in your own words, such as: God, your Son Jesus so loved the world that he gave himself over to death for the people of this world – for me! May we, may I, have that same love for others in my life so that I can eagerly follow the example of Christ.
Remember that your parish may have special prayers for those preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil. This is one option for part of that prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, who commanded Lazarus to come forth alive from the tomb and by your own Resurrection freed all people from death, we humbly pray to you for your servants, who hasten to the waters of rebirth and the banquet of life. Do not let the power of death hold back those who by their faith will share in the triumph of your Resurrection. Continue to pray for these people from now until Easter.
