Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A, John 11:1-45

Today, on the fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel recounts the resurrection of Lazarus (see John 11:1–45). This is the last miracle of Jesus’s to be recounted before Easter. Jesus knows that his close friend Lazarus will soon die, yet he sets out on a journey and does not arrive at his house until four days after the burial, when all hope is lost. Nevertheless, his arrival inspires hope in the hearts of his sisters, Martha and Mary (cf. vv. 22, 27). Even in their sorrow, they cling to this glimmer of hope. Jesus calls on their faith and asks them to open the tomb. He then prays to the Father and calls out to Lazarus, ‘Come out!’ (v. 43) Lazarus comes to life and emerges. This is the miracle—so simple. Jesus

The message is clear: even when all hope seems lost, Jesus gives life. Everyone feels hopeless sometimes, and some people have given up hope. They become embittered because they have experienced bad things; a wounded heart cannot hope. This can be due to painful losses, illness, bitter disappointments, wrongs suffered, betrayals, or serious mistakes made. They feel that they have lost hope. Sometimes we hear someone emphasize the door to all hope. These are the moments when life seems like a closed tomb: everything is dark, and all one sees is sadness and despair. Today’s miracle tells us that this is not the case, and that even in these moments, we are not alone. On the contrary, Christ comes closer than ever to bringing us back to life. The Gospel tells us that Jesus wept before the tomb of Lazarus, and today he weeps with us, just as he did for Lazarus. The Gospel tells us twice that he was moved (cf. vv. 33, 38) and paralyzed, and that he wept (cf. v. 35). At the same time, Jesus calls on us not to stop believing or hoping, and to resist letting negative feelings overwhelm us and rob us of our tears. He approaches our tombs and says to us, as he did then: ‘Take away the stone’ (John 11:39). There is a stone inside us at times like these, and only Jesus can remove it with his words, ‘Take away the stone.’

Jesus says the same to us. ‘Remove the stone,’ he says. ‘Don’t hide your pain, mistakes, or failures in a dark, lonely, closed room. ‘ Remove the stone and everything inside it. You might say, “But I am ashamed!” “Come out!” Throw them at me with confidence. I will not be offended. Throw it at me without fear, because I am with you. I love you and want you to live again. As for Lazarus, he tells each of us, “Come out!” Get up! Get back on the paralyze” Regain your confidence! How many times in our lives have we found ourselves in situations where we lacked the strength to get up again? Jesus says, ‘Go on! I am with you.” I will guide you as you learn to take your first steps. ‘ Dear brothers and sisters, remove the bandages that bind you (cf. v. 45). Do not give in to pessimism, fear, or despondency over bad memories. Do not let fear paralyse you. Jesus tells us: “I want to set you free. I want you to be alive! I will not abandon you — I am with you!” Even when everything is dark, I am with you! Do not imprison yourself in pain; do not let hope die. Brothers and sisters, come back to life! “Renew, do I do that?” “Take my hand.” And he takes our hands. Allow yourself to be pulled up. He can do it. He says this to all of us in these difficult times.

Dear brothers and sisters,
This passage from the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John is a hymn to life, and it takes on special significance as Easter approaches. Perhaps at this time, we too are carrying a burden or suffering in our hearts that seems to be crushing us: a terrible thing or an old sin that we cannot let go of, or a mistake from our youth. But one never knows. These ugly things must come out. Jesus says, “Come out!” It is then time to remove the stone and go out to meet Jesus, who is close by. Can we open our hearts to him and entrust our worries to him? Do we do so? Can we open the tomb of our worries, look beyond the threshold, and see his light, or are we afraid of it? As small reflections of God’s love, can we illuminate the world around us with words and actions that bring life? Do we bear witness to the hope and joy of Jesus? Are all of us sinners? I would also like to say a few words to confessors. Brothers, don’t forget that you’re also sinners and that your job isn’t to torture people in confession. You are there to forgive, as the Lord forgives all. Mary, Mother of Hope, renew the joy of not feeling alone in us, and inspire us to bring light into the darkness that surrounds us.