PARISH NEWS

Break open your words

Lazarus is gravely ill (John 11:1-45). His sisters, Martha and Mary, send for Jesus, hoping against hope that their dearest friend, the miracle worker, “the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world” will come to save him. The sisters are faithful believers and followers but, Jesus delays, Lazarus dies and the sisters grieve. Four days later when Jesus finally fronts, he too grieves and the sisters probably feel let down. Beyond the current heartbreak though, he desires to wake us to the truth that physical death is no enemy to be feared.

Mary and others imply that bringing Lazarus back to life is beyond even Jesus’ powers (though Martha still has hopes). None can be in any doubt that Lazarus is dead and so, when Jesus prays to God and Lazarus rises, it is clearly miraculous. Martha is right! “Whatever you (Jesus) ask(s) of God, he will grant you.” God is glorified and Jesus sonship is manifest to all. Indeed he is the “resurrection and the life,” as he claims. Belief in him, even though we all die (as Lazarus eventually died) guarantees us eternal life. “Do you believe this?” Jesus asks Martha. And she did; but still it needed Jesus to further “break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning.” (Ps 119:130)

Sometimes we Christians wear long faces, forgetting that Jesus is the leader who will never let us down! Around the world and in our lives, there is plenty to concern and distress, but Christians can put it into perspective. We know that “death is not the end but the beginning.” Ideally, we live to a ripe old age, rich in success and family and memories, but in any case, if we believe in Jesus, we are untouchable. The worst that can happen is death, and death means life eternal.

If that doesn’t put a smile on our dials, it should do!

Deacon Mark Kelly