The Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A
Reading I: Ez 37:12-14
Psalm: 130
Reading II: Rom 8:8-11
Gospel: Jn 11:1-45
In last Sunday’s Gospel, we hear about the Transfiguration in which Jesus revealed his divinity to Peter, James, and John to strengthen their faith in Him. The events of the Passion could have easily shaken their faith in Jesus when they saw him put to death as a common criminal. However, Jesus chose to prepare them ahead of time.
This week we reflect on the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This time the close friends of Jesus and their townsmen witness a miracle which could sustain them during the horrific passion of the Lord. Again, Jesus is preparing those who would be witnesses of his ignominious suffering and death.
I recall a friend of mine sharing about the wonderful experience she had, had on her retreat. The following year she lost several members of her family. Looking back on these events, I suspect the Lord was strengthening her faith because he knew what she would soon be facing.
Jesus also shows us that it is normal to experience grief at the loss of a loved one. He weeps at the loss of his friend, Lazarus. In that way, he lets us know that he understands our grief. He lets us know that it is good to cry and mourn our losses, while trusting in the wisdom and love of God.
While we might wish that the Lord would bring the person back to life as He did Lazarus, we need to trust that He knows what is best for each one of us. As I read about near death experiences, it seems that the people want to continue on their way to their new life in God. Some are disappointed if the journey is interrupted and they have to return to earth.
I had a close friend who was dying of cancer. Her mother was still living so she was fighting to stay alive for her sake. I can recall being with her when she was trying to call her mother, but didn't have the strength to dial the phone. I dialed it for her so she could say a few words to her mother. In spite of her weakness and suffering she kept fighting to stay alive. Finally, someone told the mother that the best thing was for her to tell her daughter that it was all right to go. Within a few minutes she relaxed and went home to her heavenly Father.
Like a good parent, Jesus prepares us for what we must face in life. Let us trust that He knows what is ultimately best for us and our loved ones.
En el Evangelio del domingo pasado, escuchamos acerca de la Transfiguración en la que Jesús reveló su divinidad a Pedro, Santiago y Juan para fortalecer su fe en Él. Los acontecimientos de la Pasión podrían haber sacudido fácilmente su fe en Jesús cuando lo vieron muerto como un criminal común. Sin embargo, Jesús escogió prepararlos antes de tiempo.
Esta semana reflexionamos sobre la resurrección de Lázaro de entre los muertos. Esta vez, los amigos íntimos de Jesús y sus vecinos son testigos de un milagro que podría sostenerlos durante la espantosa pasión del Señor. Una vez más, Jesús está preparando a aquellos que serían testigos de su ignominioso sufrimiento y muerte.
Recuerdo a una amiga mía que compartió acerca de la maravillosa experiencia que había tenido en su retiro. Al año siguiente perdió a varios miembros de su familia. Mirando hacia atrás en estos acontecimientos, sospecho que el Señor estaba fortaleciendo su fe porque sabía lo que pronto estaría enfrentando.
Jesús también nos muestra que es normal experimentar pena por la pérdida de un ser querido. Llora por la pérdida de su amigo, Lázaro. De esa manera, nos deja saber que entiende nuestra pena. Él nos deja saber que es bueno llorar y llorar nuestras pérdidas, mientras confía en la sabiduría y el amor de Dios.
Aunque deseemos que el Señor traiga a la persona de vuelta a la vida como lo hizo Lázaro, tenemos que confiar en que Él sabe lo que es mejor para cada uno de nosotros. Mientras leo acerca de experiencias cercanas a la muerte, parece que la gente quiere continuar en su camino hacia su nueva vida en Dios. Algunos están decepcionados si el viaje se interrumpe y tienen que volver a la tierra.
Tenía un amigo cercano que estaba muriendo de cáncer. Su madre seguía viva, por lo que estaba luchando por mantenerse con vida por ella. Recuerdo estar con ella cuando trataba de llamar a su madre, pero no tenía la fuerza para marcar el teléfono. Lo marcé para que ella pudiera decir unas palabras a su madre. A pesar de su debilidad y sufrimiento, seguía luchando para mantenerse con vida. Finalmente, alguien le dijo a la madre que lo mejor era que ella le dijera a su hija que estaba bien irse. A los pocos minutos se relajó y fue a casa a su Padre celestial.
Como un buen padre, Jesús nos prepara para lo que debemos enfrentar en la vida. Confiemos en que Él sabe lo que es mejor para nosotros y nuestros seres queridos.
In last Sunday’s Gospel, we hear about the Transfiguration in which Jesus revealed his divinity to Peter, James, and John to strengthen their faith in Him. The events of the Passion could have easily shaken their faith in Jesus when they saw him put to death as a common criminal. However, Jesus chose to prepare them ahead of time.
This week we reflect on the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This time the close friends of Jesus and their townsmen witness a miracle which could sustain them during the horrific passion of the Lord. Again, Jesus is preparing those who would be witnesses of his ignominious suffering and death.
I recall a friend of mine sharing about the wonderful experience she had, had on her retreat. The following year she lost several members of her family. Looking back on these events, I suspect the Lord was strengthening her faith because he knew what she would soon be facing.
Jesus also shows us that it is normal to experience grief at the loss of a loved one. He weeps at the loss of his friend, Lazarus. In that way, he lets us know that he understands our grief. He lets us know that it is good to cry and mourn our losses, while trusting in the wisdom and love of God.
While we might wish that the Lord would bring the person back to life as He did Lazarus, we need to trust that He knows what is best for each one of us. As I read about near death experiences, it seems that the people want to continue on their way to their new life in God. Some are disappointed if the journey is interrupted and they have to return to earth.
I had a close friend who was dying of cancer. Her mother was still living so she was fighting to stay alive for her sake. I can recall being with her when she was trying to call her mother, but didn't have the strength to dial the phone. I dialed it for her so she could say a few words to her mother. In spite of her weakness and suffering she kept fighting to stay alive. Finally, someone told the mother that the best thing was for her to tell her daughter that it was all right to go. Within a few minutes she relaxed and went home to her heavenly Father.
Like a good parent, Jesus prepares us for what we must face in life. Let us trust that He knows what is ultimately best for us and our loved ones.
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
El Levantamiento de Lazarus
En el Evangelio del domingo pasado, escuchamos acerca de la Transfiguración en la que Jesús reveló su divinidad a Pedro, Santiago y Juan para fortalecer su fe en Él. Los acontecimientos de la Pasión podrían haber sacudido fácilmente su fe en Jesús cuando lo vieron muerto como un criminal común. Sin embargo, Jesús escogió prepararlos antes de tiempo.
Esta semana reflexionamos sobre la resurrección de Lázaro de entre los muertos. Esta vez, los amigos íntimos de Jesús y sus vecinos son testigos de un milagro que podría sostenerlos durante la espantosa pasión del Señor. Una vez más, Jesús está preparando a aquellos que serían testigos de su ignominioso sufrimiento y muerte.
Recuerdo a una amiga mía que compartió acerca de la maravillosa experiencia que había tenido en su retiro. Al año siguiente perdió a varios miembros de su familia. Mirando hacia atrás en estos acontecimientos, sospecho que el Señor estaba fortaleciendo su fe porque sabía lo que pronto estaría enfrentando.
Jesús también nos muestra que es normal experimentar pena por la pérdida de un ser querido. Llora por la pérdida de su amigo, Lázaro. De esa manera, nos deja saber que entiende nuestra pena. Él nos deja saber que es bueno llorar y llorar nuestras pérdidas, mientras confía en la sabiduría y el amor de Dios.
Aunque deseemos que el Señor traiga a la persona de vuelta a la vida como lo hizo Lázaro, tenemos que confiar en que Él sabe lo que es mejor para cada uno de nosotros. Mientras leo acerca de experiencias cercanas a la muerte, parece que la gente quiere continuar en su camino hacia su nueva vida en Dios. Algunos están decepcionados si el viaje se interrumpe y tienen que volver a la tierra.
Tenía un amigo cercano que estaba muriendo de cáncer. Su madre seguía viva, por lo que estaba luchando por mantenerse con vida por ella. Recuerdo estar con ella cuando trataba de llamar a su madre, pero no tenía la fuerza para marcar el teléfono. Lo marcé para que ella pudiera decir unas palabras a su madre. A pesar de su debilidad y sufrimiento, seguía luchando para mantenerse con vida. Finalmente, alguien le dijo a la madre que lo mejor era que ella le dijera a su hija que estaba bien irse. A los pocos minutos se relajó y fue a casa a su Padre celestial.
Como un buen padre, Jesús nos prepara para lo que debemos enfrentar en la vida. Confiemos en que Él sabe lo que es mejor para nosotros y nuestros seres queridos.
The gospels of the past two weeks, and this week’s story, point to the new life that Jesus offers to those who believe. The incredible signs and healings that Jesus performed reveal Jesus’ identity as Son of God and they reveal the glory of the Father. The irony to this week’s reading is that Jesus, the one who gives life, will soon be giving up his life on the cross that we might have life. A commentator on www.biblgateway.com sums it soundly, “The raising of Lazarus, then, is the final sign before the event that actually accomplishes what all the signs have pointed toward—the provision of life through the death of the Son of God.”
ReplyDeleteI find much hope in this gospel, in that Jesus heals and raises those who are dead to new life. I embrace this message as it relates to everyday life for ordinary people struggling with the life-snuffing addictions of our times. So many people are alive but not living as a result of dependencies on substances, such as alcohol or drugs, that numb them to the beauty and wonder of life. They go through the motions of daily life but they are dead spiritually. The same goes for those of us who may be deadened by sin. These are the very people Jesus came to save. We saw this scenario in the gospel of the Woman at the Well. Through her encounter with Jesus she was brought back to life. Through spiritual awareness, divine renewal is possible and with this, physical healing is sure to follow. Through faith in Jesus, the “dead” can be resurrected from the chains that keep them bound to darkness and they can be restored to life.
As Lent draws to a close let us pray that those who are dead in spirit will be lifted, by the power of Christ, out of the tomb of darkness, and be spiritually resurrected into new life.