Funeral sermon John 11,32-45

Today’s meeting was triggered by the sad event of the death of our brother M.M. The words of the Gospel also offer us a similar image of a mourning meeting. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the illness ended Lazar’s life. Similarly, there comes the closest family, acquaintances, friends of the deceased, to say goodbye to him and to grieve his sisters Mary and Martha. Close friends also included Jesus of Nazareth. Unlike others, however, Christ did not come. Why? After all, he was the bearer of hope for Lazarus, for the family who hoped to help their sick brother, as he had helped many others. After all, most of them were completely foreign to him, why doesn’t he come to help his friend? Similarly, in the minds of nearby witnesses, the question was reflected: Did he not fool us when he spreads himself to be the Messiah, are they not just mere rumors that speak of his abilities, his love?

There is no way to help or even say goodbye to your closest friend. When looking at the coffin of the deceased, we can also ask similar questions. Why? Why him, why now? Was he a good son, was a good father, was he a good Christian? Where is Christ in whom he believed? Where is it when we need it most now? Like in the Gospel, Jesus comes, but only on the fourth day when no one hopes to help. He does not come to supersede man, to indulge himself in desperate misery, to make the greatest show possible. He leaves time, time to realize what they have lost, time to realize their own transience, time to appreciate their lives. He comes as a physician of souls who, by his master, does not glorify himself, but points to the greatness and strength of the Kingdom of God.

If it seems to us that Christ has not heard our supplications that He does not stand by us – that is not the case. He just gives us time to think, if I were in the place of our deceased, am I ready for death, how did I live my life so far? The Lord Jesus gives us time, time to think, but also hope to meet everyone in the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Gospel it is a relatively short time, only four days when the family meets the resurrected Lazarus, for us that time may be shorter or longer, maybe a few months, years … Let the words I am the resurrection and the life who believes in me He will not die forever … as Jesus Christ says, is an encouragement for us to finally meet our dead brother, but above all Jesus himself in the kingdom of heaven. Let us not forget to pray for our brother and, if he is glorified, beg him to speak with Heavenly Father for us. Amen.