Lazarus, come out!
The raising of Lazarus from the dead is one of the most dramatic public miracles that Jesus performed. This great miracle extended the life of Lazarus. Jesus promises something much greater for all of us. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “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.” Martha professes her faith in Jesus. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” We rose from death to a life in Christ in the waters of Baptism. Jesus lives in us. Our life in Christ is here and now. We don’t have to wait until we die and enter into eternity.
The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through the Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom8:11) The power of the Holy Spirit is stronger than any temptation or sin in our lives. Jesus calls each one of us this Lent, to “come out”. Jesus calls us to turn away from sin, to seek His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we confess our sins, we come out of the grave of sin and are restored to life in Christ.
So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go to die with him.” Thomas’s comment to the disciples is in response to Jesus going back to Judea. Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Thomas’s words are prophetic in a way.We are called to die, to our own passions and inordinate desires. St, Paul helps us understand further about death to sin and a life in the Spirit. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. May we believe this Lent in the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives – to continually change our hearts to God’s love.
God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike