Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 37.12-14; Romans 8.8-11; John 11.1-45
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. The village was not far from Jerusalem—just under two miles—and many Jewish people had come out to console Martha and Mary over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. Even now I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though they die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (John 11.17-27).
Inevitably in our lives we stand at the graves of those we love. Perhaps it is misting as it was when we stood at my mother’s grave and each shoveled dirt into the place of her resting. It was October. This final family act of love seemed like a fall planting for an as yet uncertain spring.
“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus tells Martha and asks, “Do you believe this?” Every death raises questions about its meaning and makes of our graves places where faith must begin. Our graves call the question—what do I believe about God?
We live in promise, not certainty. We walk with Jesus, who did not sidestep death but trusted the God he experienced beloving and inspiriting him; he gave himself in human unknowing.
On one level the raising of Lazarus is an event in Jesus’ lifetime. On a second level the raising of Lazarus is a sign that shows us the Johnnine community’s reflecting as we must on who Jesus is to them and to their loved ones who are dying. The dialog Martha and Mary have with Jesus explores the relationship between the crucified and risen Jesus and disciples like their brother who face death. Jesus is the risen Easter Lord in this gospel.
- Who have you accompanied in sickness and death? What are your reflections on resurrection?