C
cwmatt
Guest
In the Gospel story of “The resurrection of Lazarus” (John 11:1-44), I think of our Lord’s reaction when he was told that Lazarus was very ill. Jesus said to his disciples, “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). Jesus waited for two days before he made the journey to Lazarus’ hometown. Jesus said to his disciples, “Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe.” (Jn. 11:4,15). “Had Lazarus not died, there would be no miracle to confirm the faith of his disciples.” (Jn. 11:15d). What was our Lord teaching us through the rising of Lazarus into new life? Perhaps in our struggle in the darkness of faith our Lord is truly showing us that life’s struggles are about taking control of our fears and anxieties, and not letting our fears and anxieties take control of us. Jesus said, “If your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20). All we have to do is believe. It could happen.
When Jesus arrived in the town of Bethany where Lazarus and his sisters lived, Martha came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you” (Jn. 11:21-22). Martha chose to walk by the light of faith, Jesus that is, trusting in the God who heals.
It is truly in the darkness of faith that we learn about “the constant need to pray and never lose heart” (Lk. 18:1). It is in the darkness of faith that we experience our Lord’s love and concern reaching out to us through the prayers of family and friends in the kingdom of Love. Jesus said, “There is no need to be afraid, my little ones, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32). In his letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul said, “Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from our loving God and find grace when we are in need of help” (Hebrews 4:16).
When Jesus reached the tomb Martha explained to the Lord that Lazarus was wrapped with bounds of cloth and had been in the cave for four days. Jesus said, “Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (Jn. 11:40). Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, feeling the families anguish, appealing to God’s mercy, accepting death, and asking for comfort from heaven, he said, “Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer and in a loud voice he cried out, Lazarus! Come out! Lazarus came out from the tomb and was set free.”(Jn. 11:41-44). Perhaps it is in the darkness of Sorrow and Suffering that Jesus is asking us take his hand and walk with him by the light of faith trusting in his power to see us through. We too will see the glory of God and here Jesus say, “My children, Come out! All we have to do is believe for Jesus did say, “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn. 11:26).
“Gentle God, help me transform the pain in my life to wisdom. Fashion my weaknesses into compassion for others. Calm my fears and change them to trust. Remind me that life’s struggles are opportunities for new life, for greater love.” (Anonymous)
When Jesus arrived in the town of Bethany where Lazarus and his sisters lived, Martha came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you” (Jn. 11:21-22). Martha chose to walk by the light of faith, Jesus that is, trusting in the God who heals.
It is truly in the darkness of faith that we learn about “the constant need to pray and never lose heart” (Lk. 18:1). It is in the darkness of faith that we experience our Lord’s love and concern reaching out to us through the prayers of family and friends in the kingdom of Love. Jesus said, “There is no need to be afraid, my little ones, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32). In his letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul said, “Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from our loving God and find grace when we are in need of help” (Hebrews 4:16).
When Jesus reached the tomb Martha explained to the Lord that Lazarus was wrapped with bounds of cloth and had been in the cave for four days. Jesus said, “Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (Jn. 11:40). Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, feeling the families anguish, appealing to God’s mercy, accepting death, and asking for comfort from heaven, he said, “Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer and in a loud voice he cried out, Lazarus! Come out! Lazarus came out from the tomb and was set free.”(Jn. 11:41-44). Perhaps it is in the darkness of Sorrow and Suffering that Jesus is asking us take his hand and walk with him by the light of faith trusting in his power to see us through. We too will see the glory of God and here Jesus say, “My children, Come out! All we have to do is believe for Jesus did say, “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn. 11:26).
“Gentle God, help me transform the pain in my life to wisdom. Fashion my weaknesses into compassion for others. Calm my fears and change them to trust. Remind me that life’s struggles are opportunities for new life, for greater love.” (Anonymous)