Dear Parishioners,
In his Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius Loyola suggests that when reading any Gospel story, we should try to put ourselves in the place of each character in turn and imagine how we would feel in those circumstances. This can be a thought-provoking exercise. Putting ourselves into the shoes of a character from today’s gospel can be a meaningful inward journey for us and thus can help us prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in a much more internalized and personal manner.
Jesus…when he announced that Lazarus was dead and that he was going to Jerusalem, he also knew that it was dangerous for him to travel anywhere near Jerusalem at that time. However, Jesus was willing to pay the price to help his friend and he wept at the tomb. Are we willing to pay the price for our faith in Jesus and for the love of Him and our fellow beings? Are we sensitive to the life situations of our brothers and sisters?
Thomas…when Jesus announced that Lazarus was dead and that he was going to Jerusalem, Thomas showed both his courage and pessimism. “Let us go, that we may die with him.” His courage, however, was not tempered with faith and hope in God’s promise to bring victory out of defeat. Do we like Thomas at times allow our faith to be overshadowed by pessimistic thinking?
Lazarus… lying cold in the tomb, dead to everything, and surrounded by darkness and then hears a voice: ‘Come out, Lazarus.’ His name means “God is help”. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a sign of God’s promise to raise up all who have died in Christ to everlasting life. Are we convinced that God is our help? What is our equivalent to Lazarus’ tomb, here and now?
Martha and Mary…Jesus was a close friend to the two sisters and their brother. They always made him welcome in their home in Bethany and considered Jesus as a true friend to whom they could turn for help at any time. So they sent the message to Jesus, “Lord, the man you love is ill”. Do we share such a rapport with Jesus? Do we really trust Him with our needs and that of our dear ones?
Other Disciples…intimidated and overcome with fear, they try to stop Jesus from going to Bethany saying: “Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again? What about us? Do we feel frustrated and overwhelmed with the challenges and difficulties of our day-to-day life? Are we the ones to discourage those around us when they may want to give it a try?
Let us closely look at these characters of the Gospel today and simultaneously look into our own lives. Whom do we represent more? My wish and prayer for each one of you is that you may imbibe more and more of Jesus in your lives and those who really imparted the spirit of Him in their lives….
Wishing you all a grace filled Lenten journey for the remaining days of our preparation to encounter the Risen Christ. May His Peace and Victory over every form of oppression, weaknesses and lacks be yours.
Fr. Joy
Assistant Priest
