|
|
March 9, 2008
Pastor's Perspective Our neighbors to the south at St.
Joseph‘s Church in Penfield took a very creative approach to their
Lenten Retreat. They produced their own DVD and booklet to be
used for small group reflection and Bible study for all who wished to
use it. It is titled 40 Days of Spirituality – Ministry of Jesus.
Their scripture insights for this Fifth Week of Lent focuses on the Gospel account in John of the raising of Lazarus.
You might find a richer insight into today’s Gospel in this reflection they offer:
- For
an author keen on the use of words with multiple meanings, the topics
of illness and death, the dynamics of family and friends, dying and
rising, are fertile ground for John.
- With whom do you relate in
the early parts of the story? Jesus, as the friend who takes two
days to come? Martha, as the sister intent on answers?
Mary, the sister who grieves quietly?
- Martha and Mary are known
to us from the Gospel of Luke and the characterizations of Martha as
the more assertive worker and Mary as the more contemplative
sister. They continue these roles in this story. What they
share in common is their faith in their beloved friend and their love
for their brother.
- “The one you love is ill,” Jesus is
told. In this account, for what is illness a metaphor? Are
we not all sick in our own sinfulness in some way? Jesus loves us
all, as he loved Lazarus, Martha and Mary.
- Pay attention to
John’s use of potent symbols as you read this story: sickness,
death, the tomb, light and darkness, resurrection, binding and being
unbound.
- Why does Jesus “remain for two days in the place where
he was?” John looks at the story “from the divine viewpoint
rather than the human.” The miracle performed on Lazarus – the
raising from the dead – is further evidence that friendship with the
Lord Jesus is the promise of healing love and eternal life.
Lazarus being dead for several days makes the raising more dramatic and
links it to Jesus’ own impending death and resurrection.
- Jesus’
experience of the death of his good friend causes further revelation
about himself as the Son of God. What does serious illness and
death reveal to us about our own faith and dependence on God?
- The
story depicts a sharp contrast and co-mingling of the human and the
divine. Jesus is preparing to raise a man from the dead; Mary is
worried about the stench of the decaying corpse. Jesus is capable
of the raising the man yet he does so only with the help of his Father,
to whom he raised his own eyes in prayer and intercession, as we might.
- “Untie
him and let him go!” he commands. Why not untie Lazarus
himself? Why does this tell us about Jesus’ need for us to carry
on his ministry through our own discipleship?
The Lord calls us to all “come out” from our spiritual tombs. Can you see yourself in any of the following suggestions?
- Come out from worry and live by faith
- Come out from pride and stand in humility
- Come out from indifference and take a stand on justice
- Come out from selfishness and know healing and wholeness
- Come out from material preoccupations and embrace your spiritual appetite for God
Why not take some time this week as we approach Palm Sunday to re-read the Gospel in the light of these observations?
Peace and Happy Lent,
Fr. Chuck
|
