Just TRUST.

April 10, 2011

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ez 37,12-14 . Rom 8,8-11

Jn 11,1-45

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Another note of warning: Gospel for this Sunday contains 45 verses, making us stand for more than 5 minutes. But if we're to dwell and digest the Gospel, we're surely to understand it fully and imply its message to our common era.

We're to dwell into the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This is one of the most-heard miracles of Jesus during his ministry of Judea. Lazarus is one of his most beloved brothers, and of Mary and Martha. For others, this is only a sign of the end of life, but for Jesus, this is yet another sign of God's manifestation of power over the living and the dead.

At hearing it, he did not go to Lazarus until two days. He did not go into a hurry, because for him, taking his own words, And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. If we look into it, we can  see the realization that Jesus still responded to the call of his beloved friends, but not to the extent that he came there in time; he waited for two days. In simplicity, we can realize that God listens to our prayers and gives it in his own provident time. Hindi siya nagmamadali, at alam niya kung kailan natin kakailanganin ang biyayang ating hinihingi.  It's the reality of the term God's Time.

So, Jesus came to Bethany and there he was met by Martha first. There was still sorrow in Martha's eyes, wishing that her brother was still alive if he just came on time. Jesus comforted her by saying one of his most known words of hope written in the Gospels, 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.

And he manifested this when he asked the dead Lazarus (whom he wept for, as said in the shortest verse in all of the Bible), to come out of the tomb after four days of death. For the Jews, being buried for more than three days means no more sign for the deal to live again, but for Jesus, there is nothing impossible. Father, I thank you for hearing me.I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.

And so, it happened. Jesus cried out, Lazarus, come out! And Lazarus came out of the cave, still smelling stinky, wrapped in linen, and gasping for breath. Everybody believed in Jesus because of this, and more have added to the company of the disciples.


So, what does the Resurrection of Lazarus have to do with our time? Two things that this Gospel Passage has to tell us. HOPE and CONSOLATION.

This brings hope for us living in this time. The resurrection of Lazarus is quite synonymous to our Sacrament of Baptism, wherein all who are immersed or sprinkled with water are considered dead already in sin, and now living in new life with God. Especially for us who died in sin and rose again to new life through Baptism, we can consider ourselves as modern versions of Lazarus who are striving to proclaim the Good News especially now that we're nearing the end of the Lenten Season. 

This is also a message of consolation for all who believe in the power of God amidst all our challenges. We are living in an era of death, confusion and chaos. Like Martha who trusted in Jesus who can still make wonders for her brother, we are also called to trust in God who can lead us to safer valleys in these times. We could have no other refuge nowadays but Christ who promises us, I am the Resurrection and the Life.

We just need to trust his grace, believe in his power, and live according to his precepts. We will never die if we follow his footsteps; instead, we are to live eternally in his grace and happiness.