By Vicky Lamin Gayang, CSC –
Readings: Ezek 37: 12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
What is impossible for us is possible for God. Today the Gospel of John portrays the last and the greatest of all the miracles that Jesus performed, that is the miracle of raising Lazarus who was buried for four days. This is one of the convincing signs to believe in him and also a hope that we too will rise again on the last day. The resurrection of Lazarus is also a proof of God’s power and unconditional love for us.
Death is not the omega of life but the alpha of new life or the real life that God has prepared for those who are faithful to him. Today, many of us are physically alive yet in one way or the other spiritually dead due to our sinfulness. Many of us are in the tomb of meaninglessness and hopelessness. Today Jesus calls out to each one of us to come out of our tombs, our prisons and live our life again in Christ and for Christ. The season of Lent is an opportunity for us to renew ourselves and come out from the tomb or prison and liberate us from the binding of sins.
To be liberated from the slavery of sins, we are called to undergo the process of dying to oneself so that in the end we can live. Dying to oneself one needs to go through dryness in life. Experiencing dryness in life will help us to comprehend the immensity of God’s love for us and thus it will lead us to a conversion of heart. This season of lent is also a reminder for us that Jesus is ready to help us to bring us back to life and to God. He himself said, “I am the Resurrection and the life. I have come to free you from the graves and bondage of sins and put my spirit in you. Believe and trust in me so that you may have life, life in abundance.”
Are we ready to cooperate with God in the miracle of renewing and bringing new life of Christ in us and others?