Gospel Meditation

04-02-2017Weekly Reflection

"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live." As we draw near to the great feast of Easter, the Church gives us here some food for thought regarding the idea of resurrection and eternal life. Today's Gospel shares the story of a dead man who came to life again by the power of Jesus. Lazarus, who had been lying lifeless in a tomb for four days, "came out" of the tomb, burial cloths draped around his body, in a moment that must have been absolutely astonishing! This miracle could not have been explained by anything other than divine power over life and death. It's important to consider that this story is not so much about Jesus' own resurrection but rather it is about OURS. Jesus uses the occasion of this restoration of his friend, Lazarus, to teach that we ALL can be raised to new life through the power of the Lord. Jesus tells us that we too can overcome death by believing in him: "everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."

Easter, of course, will confirm for us that death has no power over the God of life. But today, during these closing days of Lent, we are reminded that we can share in this source of life by believing in Jesus. So now is a perfect time to double-check our faith in him. Is it authentic? Do we really accept the supernatural reality of who Jesus is? Do we believe that he can conquer even the most frightening moment of human existence: death itself?

If we find ourselves falling short of faith in these things, let us turn to the Lord and ask that he will increase our faith so that, with Martha, we can truly say, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God."

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