Lazarus, come out!

by David Lins  |  03/26/2023  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

As we approach Easter, Jesus keeps raising the stakes through miracles of increasing wonder. This time, he raises Lazarus from the dead. And now, our savior is truly on a collision course with the cross. Yet, I’d like to draw our attention to a specific moment in the Gospel reading.

In the eleventh chapter of John, Jesus was told Lazarus was ill and then chose to remain where he was for two days. He did not rush. And when he finally did arrive, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.

We are also told Jesus loved Lazarus and his sister, Martha.

This begs the question: if Jesus truly loved them, why didn’t he rush to their need? (And if Jesus truly loves us, why doesn’t he seem to rush to our need?)

In the same way we get angry with God, Martha confronts Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” But she seems to understand her “last second” isn’t the same as his. There is still a chance.

So she goes on, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

Do you get it?

She did not allow her grief to stop her hope in the Lord. And when we feel God has left our prayers unanswered, or it’s too late, we can’t give up either.

In November, I walked into a hospital with the use of a cane, hoping and praying the spinal surgery would allow me to actively play with my daughter again. Instead, as I write this, I am confined to a wheelchair and in more pain than I was before the surgery.

Is God done with this situation? This Sunday’s Gospel emphatically says NO.

And I’d bet you have had scenarios where you asked Jesus for help only to see the shot clock expire. You’ve cried out only to have your cries seem to find deaf ears.

Join Martha and I in our prayer: “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”