Fifth Sunday of Lent
Ezekial 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45

Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary were from an influential family. They were friends of Jesus and he often stayed with them at their home in Bethany. It seems natural that he would want to be with the family when Martha and Mary contacted him. There is little doubt that the sisters wondered why Jesus delayed. Perhaps even Lazarus wondered what was keeping him. The evangelist is quick to point out that it was not for lack of love that Jesus delayed: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

Only after two days did Jesus indicate that he wanted to go back to Judea. Bethany was just outside Jerusalem and his disciples were concerned for his safety because he had been threatened. When they decided to accompany him it was with the resolution that they would “die with him” if that was necessary.

In accordance with Jewish law, Lazarus was buried on the same day as he died and Martha and Mary began the mourning period. It is not accidental that Jesus arrived four days after the death. This was the time when Jews believed that there was no soul in the body. Nobody could claim that Lazarus was alive. In fact, his sisters warned Jesus that the body had begun to decompose. The miracle was dramatic. Jesus prayed and ordered Lazarus to come out and Lazarus emerged still bound in linen.

Lazarus is not the only person Jesus raised from the dead. Despite the close relationship of Jesus and Lazarus, the raising of Lazarus had yet another purpose. This raising from the dead is—as Jesus proclaims—“for the glory of God.” It accomplished its purpose: “Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.” It had another result too. It was such a powerful sign that the chief priests began to actively plot to kill Jesus.

John’s Gospel places the raising of Lazarus immediately before Jesus’ passion and death just as the Church places the Gospel reading immediately before the Sunday of the Passion. The irony is, of course, that it is precisely the fact of Christ giving life that causes him to be put to death.

Today’s readings contrast sorrow and joy. They announce that people die but not without the promise of new life. The raising of Lazarus is only a reflection of the greater gift of renewed and unending life promised in the resurrection of Jesus. At the same time, those who have been separated from the ones they love know this does not lessen the pain of separation.

The human response to grief is as unique as the individual. Mary, Martha and Jesus differed in their reaction to the death of Lazarus. Nonetheless, each of them needed the community. Even though Mary seemed to withdraw, those who loved her came to her side. The Gospel says: “Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary...” Martha instinctively rushed to the community for support and “Jesus began to weep.” In their own ways, each of those touched by Lazarus’ death reached out to others. They looked to the community for faith.

The Eucharist is a challenge for us to be transparent, to show our faith to the world. This faith includes sorrow. It would be unreal for us to portray a false front of phony laughter and unmitigated gaiety in the face of hardship. Instead, as Christians we are called to show the depth of our hope by being with one another in good times and bad. When one individual proclaims: “I believe” with difficulty, the “We believe” of the community becomes ever more significant.