I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

V SUNDAY OF LENT - John 11:1-45

We end the last Sunday of Lent with Jesus raising Lazarus from death and proclaiming himself as the resurrection and the life. There were three brothers, Lazarus, Martha and Mary, who lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem. In a way, they represent the Christian community. They are brothers and the members of the Christian community call themselves brothers. They know Jesus and they are his friends, welcoming him in his house and preparing food for him. With them, Jesus felt at home. Then, they were struck by suffering and death. In distress, they sent for Jesus, appealing to kindness and friendship. And Jesus seemed not to be in a hurry to answer the call of distress of his friends. How many times, do we have that sensation, feeling that Jesus has ignored our request and abandoned us to our fate?! However, Jesus looks at his friend’s death as an opportunity for God to manifest his glory “so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” God has his plans and his ways, which may become comprehensible when they come to completion.

Jesus referred to Lazarus’ death as falling asleep and that he was going to awaken him. The disciples did not understand and Jesus had to speak clearly: “Lazarus has died,” The mood of the disciples was one of uncertainty and fear. They could not understand why they should go again to the area of Jerusalem when the leaders had threatened to arrest Jesus and stop his movement. Thomas the Twin had to encourage his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” In the eyes of God, death is to fall asleep, waiting to be awakened by Jesus to a better life.

Hearing that Jesus was near, Martha went to welcome him and express her regret that he had not been there in their time of need. She expressed as well her confidence in Jesus, since he had a special relationship with God: “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” But it was beyond her dreams that her brother might be brought back to life. She believed in the resurrection of the dead at the end of times as most Jews did. It was then that Jesus revealed himself as the resurrection and the life. And that revelation allowed Martha to proclaim her faith, which is the faith of the Church, in Jesus Christ: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

With Martha, we must proclaim our faith: We believe, Lord, that you are the Christ, the Son of God. Without that belief, we will not pass through death to life. Martha believed and then vacillated in her faith. Jesus had to remind her: “if you believe you will see the glory of God”. And at Jesus’ command, Lazarus came out of the tomb. May Jesus’ voice of command be pronounced over us when the time comes, so that the glory of God may be manifested in us.