Dear friends,
Today’s readings make it clear that we draw near the end of Lent. In the story of Lazarus, John gives us many details about Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection. First, he points to Thomas who reminds the Lord that they will die if the go back to Judea. Then, he makes sure to tell us that Mary, Lazarus’ sister, is the very one who anointed Jesus’s feet in Bethany for his burial. Finally, he mentions the two signs that will be of a great testimony for the resurrection: the tombstone is taken away and the clothes which band Lazarus and which the disciples on the Day of the Resurrection will see just put aside in the tomb.
The story of Lazarus, while bringing to light the Resurrection of the Lord, the mystery of Easter, is at the same token the story of the whole humanity. It is our own story. Yours and mine as well. Like Lazarus, Jesus calls us from death to life and frees us from the bands of sin which envelope us. The only thing that is asked of us is to believe so that we may see the glory of God. The blind man from last week believed and he got his sight back to see God’s marvelous deeds. The woman at the well believed and saw in Jesus the one who quenches her thirst. Martha is questioned and she comes to believe that He is the Messiah. Therefore, if we believe like her, we will see the Lord and even if we die, we will live.
As we see, faith is key here. Amidst the uncertainties of today’s world and the challenges surrounding us, St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that if we believe, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also give us new life. He encourages us to believe in the Lord and to trust in Him, because, by His Resurrection, Jesus has opened the graves so that we may rise; He has put His Spirit in us so that we may live.
As we lift up our prayers in supplication to the Lord in the face of today’s pandemic, let us also continue to pray for one another, for our parish family and for the entire world.
Fr. Emery