In today’s Gospel Jesus is
surrounded by a culture of death. The disciples are afraid to go back to
Bethany, the Jews want to stone Jesus to death, Mary and Martha are distraught
over the death of their brother Lazarus, and Lazarus himself lies bound in the
darkness of the tomb. It appears as if there is no hope. Jesus weeps for his
friend and for those around him. Yet, surrounded by a culture of violence and
despair, Jesus gives hope, compassion, and resurrection to those in turmoil. It
is easy to say that nothing can be done when we are faced with difficult
situations in our own lives. Yet Jesus says ‘Lazarus, come out” and to the people he
says “Unbind him, let him go.” It is a message for all of us to come away from a
culture of death; to help unbind one another and to also allow ourselves to
emerge from the tomb. We are called to take away the stone. Today’s
Gospel is a story of liberation. Jesus gives a new insight into the power of
faith over death.
“Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.
Hope is knowing that there is love, it is trust in tomorrow, it is falling asleep and waking
to work when the sun rises. In the midst of a gale at sea, it is to discover land. In the eyes of another, it is to see understanding. As long as there is hope,
there will also be prayer. And God will be holding you in his loving hands.”(Henri Nouwen)
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