That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
He is truly risen! Alleluia!
Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.”
Our central theme for this graced Lenten time of reflection and teaching is living sacrificially. We explore the fact that sacrifice is covenantal. In our sacrifices we enhance the pre-existing relationship we have with God. We accept our agreement with God’s plan and rule, find joy in that, reinforce our acceptance of it, and tear away at the things that stand in the way of a deeper union with God.
For me, this gospel reading is so emotional. It is conveyed in such a way that we feel every emotion.
We feel the disciple’s confusion about what was happening. They are feel trepidation because going back to Judea with Jesus was dangerous. He was an outlaw. Thomas, finding out that Lazarus had died, states that they should go with Jesus and die too. He was throwing up his hands in frustration.
We feel the meeting with Martha and her statement of faith. We recall that Martha was the one who stayed in the kitchen concerned with serving while Mary sat at Jesus feet. Her faith now calls her to run out to Him.
This time Mary is the one staying behind at home. She is summoned and then runs out. She repeats the exact same line Martha said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
They were confused, astonished at the fact that He was not there.
All are weeping. Jesus utters a loud cry of deep indignation out of His inner turmoil. He makes a sound like an agitated horse. Completely troubled amid this sadness, Jesus wept. This is the utter sadness of God at the state of death in the world.
Jesus goes to the tomb hearing the criticism of some and the confusion of others. The tomb is opened and He calls Lazarus to life.
In our focus on sacrifice and covenant we are called to sacrifice our doubt. We are called to not just see Jesus as someone who can heal from sickness, putting off death, but as the One who overcame death for all of us. His covenant promise is resurrection and life forever.
