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Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm: 130
Reading II:
Romans 8:8-11
Gospel:
John 11:1-45
This Sunday we will pray again as
a community for those discerning whether or not to commit themselves to the Lord in a special way, as Catholic Christians. This is called “The Third Scrutiny.” It is also the day when the Gospel illustrates the miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. It is a very special presentation because it highlights both the real humanity and divinity of Jesus.
First, I want to focus on the humanity of Jesus. The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult of human experiences. Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary are very close friends of Jesus. It is noted that he would visit them and receive not only great hospitality on the part of Martha, especially, but also a special attentiveness to his word from Mary. We can assume that their brother Lazarus was involved in the experiences also.
When Lazarus dies, his sisters are distraught. Why didn’t Jesus come to their aid and save Lazarus? The male relatives played essential roles for the women of their times who depended on them for support since women did not usually have opportunities for employment outside the home. Also, there was a deep emotional bond between them.
When Jesus arrives, he weeps! He is feeling the profound pain of loss. Why does He choose to have this experience? He wants us to know that he understands what we go through when we lose a loved one. Also, He knows how we feel when we learn of a relative, friend, or any human being who has faced a loss, whether from natural causes or violence.
On the other hand, Jesus chooses to reassure us of His divinity by raising Lazarus. When Martha hears that Jesus is on His way, she hastens to meet Him. In her grief, she cries out, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus responds simply, “Your brother will rise.”
Martha exclaims, “I know he will rise in the resurrection, on the last day.” Then, Jesus chooses to reveal Himself more fully. “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”
Jesus questions her, “Do you believe this?” Thus, He calls forth a profession of faith from Martha: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.” (Jn. 11:27)
Jesus wants us to know that human death is not the end of life, just a change in the type of life we live. When we leave this life, we move into an eternal, life with God and one another. He tells us that we cannot even imagine what God has prepared for those who love him. How blessed we are!!!
Reflection Question: If you were to lose a loved one in death, how would you like a relative or friend to help and comfort you? What are some of the ways Jesus comforted Martha and Mary?
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
La Resurrección de Lázaro
Este domingo volveremos a orar como una comunidad para aquellos que están discerniendo si deben o no comprometerse con el Señor de una manera especial, como cristianos católicos. Esto se llama “El Tercer Control”. También es el día en que el Evangelio ilustra el milagro de la resurrección de Lázaro de entre los muertos. Es una presentación muy especial porque resalta tanto la humanidad real como la divinidad de Jesús.
Primero, quiero centrarme en la humanidad de Jesús. La muerte de un ser querido es una de las experiencias humanas más difíciles. Lázaro y sus hermanas Marta y María son muy amigos íntimos de Jesús. Se observa que los visitaría y recibiría no solo una gran hospitalidad por parte de Martha, sino también una atención especial a su palabra de Mary. Podemos asumir que su hermano Lázaro también estuvo involucrado en las experiencias.
Cuando Lázaro muere, sus hermanas se angustian. ¿Por qué no vino Jesús en su ayuda y salvó a Lázaro? Los parientes varones desempeñaban funciones esenciales para las mujeres de su época que dependían de ellas para recibir apoyo, ya que las mujeres generalmente no tenían oportunidades de empleo fuera del hogar. Además, había un profundo vínculo emocional entre ellos.
When Jesus arrives, he weeps! He is feeling the profound pain of loss. Why does He choose to have this experience? He wants us to know that he understands what we go through when we lose a loved one. Also, He knows how we feel when we learn of a relative, friend, or any human being who has faced a loss, whether from natural causes or violence.
Por otro lado, Jesús elige tranquilizarnos de su divinidad al criar a Lázaro. Cuando Marta escucha que Jesús está en camino, ella se apresura a encontrarse con él. En su dolor, ella grita: “Señor, si hubieras estado aquí, mi hermano no habría muerto”. Jesús responde simplemente, “Y tu hermano se levantará”.
Martha exclama: “Sé que él resucitará en la resurrección, el último día”. Entonces, Jesús elige revelarse más completamente. “Yo soy la resurrección y la vida; el que cree en Mí, aunque muera, vivirá, y todos los que viven y creen en Mí nunca morirán”.
Jesús le pregunta a ella: “¿Crees esto?”. Por lo tanto, Él exhorta una profesión de fe a Martha: “Creo que eres el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, el que debía venir a este mundo”. (Jn. 11:27)
Jesús quiere que sepamos que la muerte humana no es el final de la vida, solo un cambio en el tipo de vida que vivimos. Cuando dejamos esta vida, nos movemos hacia una vida eterna, con Dios y con los demás. Nos dice que ni siquiera podemos imaginar lo que Dios ha preparado para los que lo aman. ¡Qué bendecidos somos!
Pregunta de reflexión: Si perdiera a un ser querido en la muerte, ¿cómo le gustaría que un pariente o amigo lo ayude y lo consuele? ¿Cuáles son algunas de las maneras en que Jesús consoló a Marta y María?
