Year A

Jan 08 2025

Scripture Study for

Peter’s speech occurs within the story of Cornelius (Acts 10). Summoned by the Romans, Peter gives all those gathered in his house the gospel “in a nutshell”: Jesus was anointed by God to preach and to heal, especially those “oppressed by the devil” (including those bound by the power of sin). Despite his good deeds, Jesus was crucified, but then was raised from the dead. Now he has sent others to carry on his mission of preaching and forgiving sin, freeing those in bondage to its power. As if to give divine confirmation to the mission to the Gentiles, the Holy Spirit comes upon Peter’s audience, who are baptized, the first Gentile converts to the Way.

Colossians reminds us that the resurrection of Christ, while a unique event, is not isolated, but in fact has brought about a new order in the cosmos, in which the baptized are called to participate in Christ. Like Christ, they have died to earthly things, those aspects of the world that are opposed to Christ. Now “raised,” believers actually live “above” with Christ, and must act accordingly. When Christ appears again, this new life, now “hidden” (accessible only by faith), will be revealed in all its glory. In the meantime, though hidden it offers the baptized a new perspective and new way of living that must be manifest in earthly conduct.

When Mary Magdalene sees the empty tomb, she thinks at first that perhaps Jesus’ body has been stolen. The Evangelist spends some time, however, describing the empty linens, something thieves would not take the time to leave behind. We remember that when Lazarus (who would die again) was raised, he came forward in his linens. Jesus, who will not die again, has left the linens, like death itself, behind. When the Beloved Disciple sees the empty tomb and the linens, he “believes” that Jesus has been raised from the dead and not stolen, but he does not yet fully comprehend the meaning of the Resurrection. Understanding only comes when one encounters the resurrected Lord.

Jan 08 2025

Hearing the Story Again—for the First Time

One thing that I love about working with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is how new the Gospel is for those who have never heard it before. A few years ago on Palm Sunday, we headed downstairs from the sanctuary to break open the Word. We were not even to the basement door, when Roy, a man in his fifties, touched my arm and said, with tears in his eyes, “I never heard that story before!” The day before I wrote this, because it was a snow day from RCIA, one of our catechumens and her eleven-year-old son read Luke’s account of the death and resurrection by candlelight at home for their homework. The mom texted me afterward. “What an amazing story!” she said.

For a heart of innocence, what could be so breathtaking about the death of Jesus? When I read it afresh, what flabbergasts me is what also impressed St. Paul—the degree of self-emptying, self-giving, self-sacrifice that Jesus was willing to undergo in obedience and for our sakes. Where did he get the strength to do that? “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard.” Isaiah says, “The Lord God is my help . . . He who declares my innocence is near.” Our God is Deliverer. God lifts us up. God is faithful. God is for us.

For someone who has never heard this story, to have the Lord of the universe care, to take our side, to be willing to die to lift us up from the muck of life—that is not something to be taken lightly. For those who are used to feeling adrift and alone, this is fresh and life-giving! After being baptized at the Easter Vigil, Roy broke into a smile and his whole body radiated happiness. New life! Not just a theological idea, but a gift from the One who cares.

Consider/Discuss

How often might we listen to scriptures and think, “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that time and time again”? How could we get back to a heart of innocence about the story of Jesus? In this time before Easter, read through one whole Gospel narrative about the Passion and Resurrection. Try to read it as though you had never heard it before. What resonates within you?
Many of us already live self-sacrificing and self-emptying lives, and those around us are grateful. Where do we get the strength to see each day through? When we are weary, even beaten, Who and what sustains us? If you know someone who lives a self-sacrificing and self-emptying life, thank him/her this week.

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, as we enter into this most sacred of weeks, give us new eyes to see the beauty of what you have done for us. Bless those who minister—the preachers and lectors, the musicians and artists, and all who serve liturgically. Help us to create liturgies that move and inspire our people and show forth your presence. Please bring back those who are far from faith and enlighten those who do not yet know you. Thank you, most of all, for giving yourself to us so completely.

Jan 08 2025

Scripture Study for

Jan 08 2025

Sweet Mystery of Life—and Death

Martha cried out, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” What had she been thinking and discussing with Mary during the days of her brother’s illness and now after his death? Surrounded by friends, she did not find the one friend that she was looking for—he who had the ability to help. She may have whispered, “Jesus, where are you? Where are you right now when Mary and Lazarus and I so need you?”

Have you ever been in a situation in which someone who could have chosen to help you would not? Someone who is in a position of authority—who you thought had your back and did not? The betrayal cuts deeply, causing anguish, high blood pressure, anger, grief, hurt, and sleepless nights—in short, a crisis of trust in the one who could have helped, but did not. Where was he/she when I needed him/her?

We don’t always know why things work out as they do. Human beings let us down. Sometimes it feels as though God lets us down— our prayers are not answered as we expect. These are our personal crucifixion moments. We may later see clearly why things happened and God is glorified: these are resurrection moments. Sometimes we never know why and life and death remain a mystery.

In today’s story, the Lord did finally show up. Then he quaked with grief. Jesus wept. For the sake of his friends, he called Lazarus out of the tomb. It was personally perilous for him to do so. But out of love, he revealed his power. At the same time, he was about to take the pains of the world upon himself. When he saw his friends’ grief, did that reveal how much they would suffer from his upcoming death? No wonder he trembled.

Consider/Discuss

Every person has foretastes of death and resurrection in this life. In difficult moments, how have you (or have you not) identified with Martha’s whisper, “Where are you, Lord?”
In bleak moments, we may be tempted to give ourselves (and others) glib answers that do not satisfy or are suspect or hollow, shallow answers like “God wanted another angel in heaven” or “Well, it was God’s will” or . . . How does that artificial certainty belittle the mystery dimension of God and life? How else could we respond more truly to the puzzlement of betrayal and/or grief?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, I hope you don’t mind the honesty, but sometimes it feels as though you aren’t showing up. We need you. We believe that you are the resurrection and the life; help our unbelief. Give us the strength to cling tightly to your steadfast love when life bears down hard. Most of all, thank you for taking our pains upon yourself. Ezekiel’s dry bones give us hope in this parched valley. We look forward to the day when you bring us to a new and fresh life, good and gracious God.

Jan 08 2025

Scripture Study for

In Ezekiel’s time, Israel was in exile, estranged from God. Thus in his vision of the “dry bones” (37:1–14), he sees Israel as truly dead. This “death” easily led to despair of eventual reconciliation with God and a return to life. In response to doubts of God’s continued love of them, Israel receives divine assurance that although they are dead now, the time of alienation will come to an end. Israel will be restored to God and to the land. This spiritual rebirth is characterized as resurrection from the grave. God confirms that Israel remains “my people,” and will certainly bring them back to life: “I have promised, and I will do it.”

For Saint Paul, physical and spiritual death are inherently related. Bodily death is ultimately the result of sin—the body is dead because of sin. In Christ, the Spirit of God brings life first by attending to the condition of sin, conquering it and “replacing” it with righteousness, spiritual life. This same Spirit is also able to raise the physical body from the dead, as the Spirit did for Jesus. The Spirit of Christ, belonging to those who have turned away from “the flesh” (a metaphor for all that is in us opposed to the will of God), resurrects us from both spiritual and physical death.

When Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is ill, he first says that the illness will not end in death. One gets the impression from this that he is not worried that Lazarus will actually die, which would explain his delay of two days before returning to Bethany. Yet Jesus knows in fact that Lazarus has died in that time, and we realize that he has allowed this to happen so that he can “awaken him.” In this final and most dramatic sign, Jesus allows the death of Lazarus so that he can publicly raise him from the dead. Such a feat is intended to provoke belief that he is who he has been claiming to be all along, the One sent by God, who alone has the power to give life.