Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today’s Gospel reading from John chapter 11, we hear the story of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, who becomes ill and eventually dies. Jesus receives word of Lazarus’ illness, but He does not immediately go to him. Instead, Jesus says, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (verse 4)

When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days. Martha and Mary express their grief, and Jesus is moved to tears. He goes to the tomb, and there He commands Lazarus to come out. Lazarus, who was dead, rises from the dead and comes out of the tomb.

This miraculous event is a powerful testament to the power and glory of God, and it reveals the divinity of Jesus Christ. It also teaches us important lessons about faith, trust, and the meaning of life and death.

First, we see that faith is an essential aspect of our relationship with Almighty God. Martha and Mary had faith in Jesus, even though they did not fully understand His plan. They believed in Him, and their faith was rewarded when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Similarly, we must have faith in God, even when we do not understand His ways. We must trust that He has a plan for us, and that His plan is always for our ultimate good.

Second, this account in St. John’s gospel reminds us that death is not the end. For the faithful, death is a passage to eternal life with God. We should not fear death, but rather embrace it as a necessary part of our journey towards God. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, we too will one day rise to new life with our Lord in heaven.

This account also teaches us about the importance of community. When Lazarus became ill, Martha and Mary reached out to their friends and family for support. They were not alone in their grief, and their loved ones were there to comfort them. In the same way, we must rely on our community of faith to support us in times of sorrow and need.

One of the most significant messages of this Gospel reading is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see in this story how Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, showing us that He is not only a teacher or a prophet, but the Son of God who has power over death itself. This event foreshadows Jesus’ own death and resurrection, which is the ultimate demonstration of His power over sin and death.

Moreover, this story also highlights the humanity of Jesus Christ. When Jesus sees the grief of Martha and Mary, He is moved to tears. This shows us that Jesus is not some distant, unfeeling deity, but the God who understands our pain and is with us in our sorrows. He is not immune to our emotions, and He is always there to comfort and console us.

Furthermore, the story of Lazarus challenges us to examine our own relationship with God. Are we like Martha and Mary, who had faith in Jesus even when things seemed hopeless? Or do we struggle to trust God’s Will when we face difficult situations? Today’s Gospel reading calls us to deepen our faith and trust in God, especially when we do not understand His ways.

This Gospel reading emphasizes the importance of the community of faith. When Martha and Mary are grieving, their friends and family come to support them. This shows us that we are not meant to face our struggles alone. As members of the Church, we are called to support and encourage one another, especially in times of need.

In conclusion, the story of Lazarus is a powerful reminder of the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the importance of faith and trust in God, and the value of the community of faith. May we draw strength and comfort from this Gospel account as we continue our journey of faith, always relying on the love and power of Jesus Christ.

God bless you,
Fr. Charles