Lazarus, Come Out!
Today, the 5th Sunday in Lent, we conclude the trilogy of instructions taken from the Gospel of John for Catechumens. The gospel readings of the previous two Sundays focused on water (Jn 4) and light (Jn 9). Today our focus is on life (Jn 11). These three narratives, centring on the three primordial elements, are a build up to the Easter vigil which will also revolve around water, light and new life. These three elements simply point to Christ, the source of life.
The gospel narrative of today is a sign performed by Jesus in order to reveal his identity: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11: 25). It is also an invitation to participate in the promise of Jesus: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). Just as Jesus invites the dead Lazarus to rise to new and abundant life, he invites us: “Lazarus, come out” (Jn 11:43). He invites us to come out too.
There are three dimensions in the gospel narrative of today, which facilitate the experience of new life for Lazarus, and they could also mediate our own experience of new and abundant life even for us: presence of Jesus (grace), personal response (in freedom and responsibility), and the contribution of the community around.
Presence of Jesus: Both Martha and Mary in their first expression of faith in Jesus declare, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn 11:21, 32). However, what they fail to recognise is that Jesus is now here. He who could have prevented the death of their brother could also now raise him to life. The presence of Jesus does make a difference. Even in our lives, His presence brings life – new lease of life.
Personal response: That promise of abundant life by Jesus becomes true for us when we can respond readily to his call. When Jesus cries out: “Lazarus, come out,” Lazarus responds readily. He does not shy off from the invitation of Jesus, saying, for example: “Oh, why do you disturb me Jesus. Here I am in this cosy world of darkness; I am alright. Why don’t you leave me alone!” Lazarus comes out to new life. Jesus does not force on us his life, we need to respond to share in it.
To come out to life, each individual is called to be responsible in their choices. I need to come-out of that tomb of complacency and arrogance. I need to come out of my negative mind-set.
Role of the Community: At least on two occasions in the gospel text of today, Jesus invites the crowd to do their part in the process of giving life back to Lazarus. He who could raise a dead man to life could have also magically moved the stone at the mouth of the grave. But Jesus requests the crowd, “Take away the stone” (Jn 11:39). Again, when “the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth, Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go’” (Jn 11:44). The believing community around the individual plays its role in facilitating the sharing in the life of Christ.
As we move towards the Holy Week, may we recognise the presence of Jesus, and respond to his call, even assisted by the community around us.