Jesus, The WORD who is LIFE

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT

[ John 11: 1-45 ]

   Jesus, The WORD who is LIFE.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on the 25th of March, every year. It commemorates the pivotal moment in the history of our salvation when Mary said YES to God, and ‘the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us’ [Jn 1: 14].

The scripture reading for Vespers (Evening Prayer I & II) of the Solemnity was the proclamation of John [1 Jn 1: 1-2]:

   ‘Something which has existed since the beginning,

   that we have heard,

   that we have seen with our own eyes;

   that we have watched

   and touched with our hands;

   THE WORD WHO IS LIFE –

   this is our subject.

   That LIFE was made visible;

   we saw it and we are giving our testimony,

   telling you of the ETERNAL LIFE

   which was with the Father and has been made visible to us.’

Jesus is the ETERNAL WORD and the ETERNAL LIFE who has leapt down from heaven, took on our human flesh, became one of us and one with us, that ‘we may have life, and have it to the full’ [cf Jn 10: 10].

   Jesus, the RESURRECTION and LIFE.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He raised three people from the dead:

   (1) the widow's son at Nain [Lk 7: 11-17],

   (2) Jairus' daughter [Mt 9: 18-26; Mk 5: 21-43; Lk 8: 40-56], and

   (3) Lazarus [Jn 11: 1-44].

   The raising of Lazarus.

Lazarus was not the only person raised by Jesus. So, why is the raising of Lazarus so important?

   (1) “This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.” [Jn 11: 4]

We may be as sinful as the Samaritan woman (3rd Sunday of Lent), as blind as the man born blind (4th Sunday of Lent), and as sick as Lazarus (5th Sunday of Lent), but Jesus – being God – can STILL do wonders and work marvels in our lives if we cooperate with His grace. 

   (2) ‘Yet when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill He stayed where He was for two more days…’ [Jn 11: 39]

We are always in a big hurry and in great haste – “Come, Lord, Lazarus is dying!” – but Jesus does not seem to be in a big hurry or in great haste. Jesus seems to be always taking his sweet time in acting or responding!

   When God seems to be silent, He is in fact actively present.

   When God seems to be doing nothing, He is in fact doing more than we could ever imagine.

   When God seems to be (four days) late, He is in fact always on time.

   God is ALWAYS in control; He is ALWAYS in charge.

We are not gods: we have little or no control over our life, the life circumstances and its uncertainties, the people and things around us, the unstoppable marching of time, and the world surrounding us… God’s delay and silence are – in all truth – important lessons of faith, hope and patience. Perhaps we should learn to let go and let God [cf. Lk 9: 23]: to deny ourselves (resist quick answers and quick fixes), take up our cross daily (embrace our pain and our suffering faithfully), and follow Him (walk in His footsteps to Calvary).

Sometimes and most of the time, the problems we want solved are themselves parts of a deeper solution that God is working to make us humbler, wiser and stronger. Imagine the waves: we cannot control the waves – the waves will always be there and haunt us – but we can also choose to learn to live with the waves and the changing patterns… and yes, we can even learn to surf and ride on the waves!

   (3) “Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.” [Jn 11: 39]

   Jesus’ Resurrection. Our resurrection and new life in Him.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is an assuring sign that points us towards

   (1) Jesus' Resurrection from the dead.

Jesus has authority over life and death: not only has He raised people from death, but He Himself – by His own power – rose from the dead. “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” [Jn 10: 18]

   (2) Our resurrection and new life in Him.

‘New life, new life, You came to bring us new life! ... We find such joy in Your abundant life!’ [Easter Hymn, ‘New Life’] No matter how dead we are – physically or spiritually – Jesus can raise us!

Jesus has promised us new and eternal life if we listen to Him [cf. Jn 5: 25-29], “Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD, and THOSE WHO HEAR WILL LIVE… the hour is coming when all who are in their graves WILL HEAR HIS VOICE AND WILL COME OUT!”

Like Lazarus, Jesus is commanding us today: to come out from the darkness of our tombs to live in His wonderful light.

As Jesus was telling Martha, He is also challenging us [Jn 11: 25-26]:

   “I am the Resurrection and Life.

   If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,

   and whoever lives and believes in Me

   will never die.

   DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

May we have the unwavering faith and answer with great conviction [Jn 11: 27],

   “Yes, Lord. I BELIEVE that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

Let our fervent prayer be:

   “Lord Jesus Christ, call me and bid me come to You:

   call me out from the darkness of my tomb, and untie me,

   that I may live in Your wonderful light.”

Let us also pray that God’s justice, peace, truth and love may prevail in Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Nicaragua.