HOMILY

FR O’GRADY

5th Sunday Lent April 2, 2017

The doctor comes into the hospital room and says, “Sorry but there’s nothing more we can do except try to make him/her comfortable”. Then he leaves and then the waiting begins for the family. The seconds seem like hours and the hours like days and the days like a month.

And the family goes through every emotion and feeling possible. The feelings of being helpless and wanting to do something, sadness, grief, even perhaps a bit of anger at God for allowing this but also the memories and feelings of gratitude for the past and fear of the future. There are the tears of sadness but also the smiles from beautiful memories and even some laughs.

Yet no matter how tough this waiting is, few would ever step away from it. For to be with a loved one at the end is one of the greatest gifts and privileges from God that one can receive and one that for which we will always be grateful.

Yet make no mistake about it, it is also one of the most difficult things one will ever have to do.

If you have done this you know what I mean and if you have not, I guarantee that it will happen to you in life. I have done this many times with family and every time I leave thankingGod for that gift of being there.

I say all this because so many people will say that Scripture and Jesus just don’t connect with my everyday life. all of this Well, if you also feel this way just look at the great Gospel story today.

The wonderful passage tells about the raising of Lazarus , the young brother of Martha and Mary and remind us that they too went through the same grief and doubts and fears as Lazarus lay dying before them. And all the time they felt that Jesus had deserted them, he did not. Jesus our God and Saviourwas not far away but there just around the corner. To me it is one of the most human and emotional scenes on the New Testament with which we can all relate and identify with.

They too had to wait as Lazarus died, and note that when Jesus did come they asked why this had to happen, they felt he had deserted them and they even displayed some anger.

In all of this, Jesus gave no answer to the why and when of Lazarus’ death instead he asked them one basic question: “Do you believe in me that I am the Resurrection and the Life?

Then once they got through all their feelings and emotions, they said ; “OK Lord we don’tunderstand but we do believe”

And Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

WHAT THIS MIRACLE SHOWS IS THIS: NO MATTER WHAT GRIEF AND HEARTBREAK WE GO THROUGH… JESUS IS THERE AND THAT GOD COMES ON HIS TIME TABLE AND NOT ON OURS.

THERE ARE REASONS FOR THE PLACE AND TIME OF DEATH THAT GO FAR BEYOND OUR MORTAL THINKING AND REASONING BUT GOD HAS NOT DESERTED US.

THERE’S ANOTHER LESSON TODAY AS WELL THAT MORE DIRECTED TO YOU AND ME PERSONALLY.

This passage points not just to the power of Jesus over death but also what Jesus commanded for Lazarus to FIND NEW LIFE and likewise youand me!

1..JESUS SAID: “TAKE AWAY THE STONE!” IT WAS THE STONE THAT STOOD BETWEEN HE AND LAZARUS.

Are there some things in our life that have to be moved aside so we can find new life?

What habits, relationships, hobbies, , commitments, etc that consume me? Are l these not like the like the stone blocking Jesus from Lazarus and his new life?

2.THEN JESUS CALLED FORTH LAZARUS TO COME OUT.

So often in life, Jesus asks us to go deeper in the faith, maybe volunteer, witness better to the faith, stand up for values at work, home , school, wrestle with a difficult problem or sin and we hesitate to follow his command. HOW OBEDIENT AM I TO GOD’S CALL AND VOICE?

BUT LOOK AT LAZARUS, THIS COMMAND FROM A LOVING GOD GAVE HIM NEW LIFE AND SO FOR YOU AND ME.

3. FINALLY, JESUS COMMANDED THAT THE LINEN BANDAGES AND WRAPPINGS BE REMOVED SO LAZARUS COULD BE FREE.

WHAT WRAPS US UP IN DAILY LIFE THAT KEEPS US FROM THAT NEW LIFE FROM GOD?

What habits, worries, concerns take up all my time? Do I find tjhat I am pulled away from God and a deeper growth in my faith life by these thinsg?

So today, in this great story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Jesus gives us the truth that He is there in our desolation and grief but also like Lazarus, we can find true spiritual life if we roll away the stones, take off wrappings and listen to Jesus words of Jesus.

This is the promise of today and above all the great promise of what is to come.. the joy and hope of Easter itself.