Reflecting on the Word

By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Caravaggio painted an image of Lazarus coming forth from the tomb. Eugene  O’Neil wrote a play called Lazarus Laughed. Sylvia Plath wrote a poem called “Lady  Lazarus.” Poets, playwrights, and artists have been attracted to this story from  John’s Gospel through the centuries. For some two millennia Lazarus has been the symbol of someone brought back from the dead, revealing the power of God  at work in Jesus of Nazareth.  

Over the centuries Lazarus has been a figure of hope for countless generations,  especially at the time of a loved one’s death. Are there any more comforting  words than those that Jesus says to Martha? “I am the resurrection and the life;  whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and  believes in me will never die” (John 11:25–26). 

Death comes not only at the end of life, but sometimes within life. This is  true both for individuals and whole nations. Israel in exile was like a field of dry  bones, sealed up in tombs, cut off from life completely, lacking all hope. But God  promised to bring Israel back to life and return the people to their home. God  promised the spirit that would bring them back home and restore life. 

Paul’s words to the community at Rome serve to remind us that death will not  have the last word. For all the death that we see in our world from war and earthquakes, sickness and human violence and cruelty, there is a power stronger than  death: the Spirit of God.  

Consider/Discuss

  • How do you think of death, as the end or as a transition? 
  • Are you being called to die to something in your life, so that you can live more fully in the power of the Spirit? 

Responding to the Word

We pray to the Lord of the living and the dead that we might not lose hope  even now in the face of so much sadness in our world. We pray for a strengthening  of trust in God that removes any fear of death threatening us or those we love. 

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