March 9, 2008
5th Sunday in Lent, Year A
John 11:1-45
From Death to Life
Death is a powerful word. It has the ability to figuratively drain the life out of those who hear it. Pronouncements of death are life changing for those left behind. Rarely do we view death to be a positive thing. As humans, we’re generally anxious about our final act to true freedom.
It’s pretty easy to admit that most of us, even if we have faith in God, fear death in some way. However, when you really think about it, there is something far worse than death itself: a living death. It’s the blank stare you see in the eyes of a Sudanese refugee. It’s evident in the despair of a terminally ill patient with no health insurance or family. Oppression, genocide, destruction, malnutrition, hopelessness. In reality, death is all around us.
Despite focusing on the death of Jesus’ friend Lazarus, today’s gospel reading is anything but boring. Jesus receives word that Lazarus is deathly ill yet refuses to rush to his friend’s side to say goodbye. When he finally decides to go to Bethany, which was just outside of Jerusalem, his Apostles try to stop him for fear that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will have him arrested. Nonetheless, Jesus travels to Bethany and upon arrival finds that Lazarus is dead and has already been buried. Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ sisters seek comfort from Jesus who reassures them that he is “the resurrection and the life.”
The pivotal moment in the story occurs when Jesus visits Lazarus’ tomb. He requests that the tomb be opened and after doing so he begins to pray. After thanking God he boldly cries, “Lazarus, come out!” Needless to say, Lazarus appears at the entrance of the tomb to the amazement of all those present.
Contrary to our society’s negative view of death, Jesus seems to have a different approach. He uses the opportunity of Lazarus’ death to bring about faith in God. It’s a theme that John’s Gospel continuously focuses on. In fact, Jesus is always finding ways to bring the “dead” in society back to life. He comforts the hopeless, cares for the lost, and welcomes the oppressed stranger.
Isn’t that what we as peacebuilders are supposed to do also? Aren’t we supposed to raise the “dead” in our own world? It can seem like a daunting task. We may feel unqualified. After all, Jesus was the one who raised the “dead” and we are not Jesus…or are we? We are the ones whom Jesus has chosen to carry on his ministry. Therefore, as peacebuilders it truly is our task to place our own faith in God and bring the life of Christ to those in need.
Reflection Question
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