Lazarus Come Forth

This is a familiar story that we all know. Jesus' friend, brother of Mary and Martha, is ill. Jesus decides to stay away for another two days and returns to Bethany only after Lazarus is dead. After a long dialogue with Martha, Lazarus' sister, Jesus resuscitates him. Of course the questions of the sisters is our question too: "Why did Jesus wait so long to go see his friend.

Perhaps Jesus wants us to know that his mission is about salvation and peace. No really - salvation and peace and eternal life for all men and women. Jesus did not come to simply do some good deeds so that we might become excited and love Jesus and God more. The Paschal Mystery conquers Sin and death, but does not abolish it. At least not yet. Jesus enters into our suffering and death and shares with us the intensity of sorrow and anger in the experience of sickness and death.

We like the men and women of all ages will still be moved to cry out, "My God my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus helps Martha, and us hopefully, to move from our belief in eternal life to our belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus says that he is the resurrection and the life, and our belief is to be in Him and His life for us.

This mystery challenges us to trust in God with our whole selves. We can relate to Jesus in the garden who prays that if it is possible to allow the cup of suffering to pass from him. But we come to understand that Jesus is obedient unto death. Just as Jesus trusts in God the Father in heaven we have to somehow maintain that same trust and confidence in the Father.

And we can see what happens to such people. Those who believe and trust in God the Father are raised up to share the joys of the Kingdom of God. Drawn into this very intimate relationship with God, we need to be able to proclaim our faith again and again. Fear and despair have no part in our relationship with God. We maintain a vigil of eternal life.