Death and New Life

03-22-2020Weekly Reflection

In this Gospel, there are many known Jewish burial practices that was cited. The dead are immediately buried on the same day. The corpse is washed and wrapped in burial cloths, followed by a public procession to the burial site usually a cave tomb. Then the seven days of mourning, where the immediate family of the deceased are taken care of by the neighbors who take turn visiting them. The length of mourning can extend to 30 days, and in some instances for a year. After a year, the bones are collected and for those who can afford it, are placed in a burial box called an ossuary.

Even before and during the time of Jesus many Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead, like the Pharisees. They believed that after the sufferings, pains and evils of this life, God will resurrect the faithful and the righteous. The resurrected enters a glorified, perfect mode of life, a life forever with God. While those who have died in the state of evil will be in an everlasting punishment in Hell. There are two aspects of resurrection highlighted here: First, it highlights God’s victory over sin and death for the faithful and the righteous. The resurrection from the death shows victory over physical corruption, God raised them up to a glorified state. Second, the resurrection is about justice, the justice of God. Those whom He raise are justified, and those justified are in turn glorified. The resurrection of the dead is God’s way of vindicating the faithful and the righteous, while the wicked are punished to eternal damnation in Hell.

The raising of Lazarus is not a resurrection, the details on vv. 43-44 supports a resuscitation miracle of a person who supposedly died 4 days ago. Lazarus simply gained his mortal life, but will die again. Just like the daughter of Jairus (Mk. 5:35-43), the son of the widow from Nain (Lk. 7:11-17), and a few described in the Old Testament. The raising of Lazarus and others were resuscitation, while resurrection is raising to a glorified state of life. Thus, the resurrected will never die again. “Christ is raised from the dead, dies no more, death no longer has power over Him. (Rom. 6:9)

Reflection:

Jesus is the Life Giver. The raising of Lazarus pre-figure the ultimate resurrection from the dead, as Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and every one who lives and believes in me will never die.” (Jn. 11:25) Jesus is the life giver, and everyone who lives and believes in Him will share His life. But death remains painful for us because we have developed relationships with our loved ones and many others, and we have also found joy and happiness to many of God’s gifts in this life. There is still fear in the unknown, the beyond death, Jesus’ words more than an invitation and a promise. Lazarus name means “God is my help.” Believers are given the assurance that God will help us achieve a new life, this is the promise. Faith leads to new life. God does not abandon us in times of grief. Just as He will not abandon us in this time of Pandemic caused by CoVid 19. This CoVid 19 is an opportunity to define who we are, and who we can become because of our faith. The call now is how we can help to bring PEACE and not panic, by not contributing to the panic around us. This virus is an invitation to re-examine our virtues. Transform the virus into virtues, be witnesses of peace and not panic, faith and not fear, and life and not death. Jesus will teach us how faith leads to new life, he will roll the stone of fear that covers our true faith by letting us come out of our tombs to love and take care of those who are in fear and panic. Because those who live and believe should never fear, our prayers and our sacrifices, especially at this time of a pandemic, should strengthen our FAITH and give us more reason to be LIFE givers to others.

BE SAFE, BE HEALTHY, BE HOLY.