Good day to all.
Today we remember three good friends of Jesus. We hare of their encounters several times in the Gospels.
It is said that they lived in a village “a sabboth’s walk” wich would be about 2/3 of a mile, (1 kilometer). I remember walking to the sight of the village when I was in Jerusalem.
In the Gospel of John we read about the death of Jesus’ dear friend Lazarius. For what ever reason, Jesus did not head over to see and possibly cure his friend. This was the statement that Lazarius’ sister Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would have never died.” At this point, Jesus tells Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” It was at this point which John has Jesus speaking of a reality that I am sure when over the head of this grieving woman. “Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life.”
There are very few places in the Gospels that tell us that Jesus wept. It was at the tomb of his friend that brought Jesus to tears.
But as we know the story does not end there. The Lord asks that the tomb be opened and it is here that he calls “Lazarius, come out!” and the once dead man walks out of his tomb.
It must be remembered that Lazariou rises out of his tomb, not like Jesus will, nor how we all will then the Lord calls us all home.
Fr. Pat McMloskey, ofm offers this thought to us today. “The teacher is here and is calling you. Jesus is calling every one of us to resurrection – now in baptismal faith, forever in sharing his victory over death. And all of us, as well as these three friends, are in our own unique way called to special friendship with him.”
This story gives us just a fore taste of what we are all called, to live eternally with the Lord, and all those whom we have loved.
In his tenth sonnet, the poet John Dunn says, “One short sleep past we wake eternal, and death shall be no more, death, thou shalt die.”
Keep in mind what a friend of mine use to say, “God don’t make junk.”
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Vinnie, osf and the
Bros and Srs of the
Franciscan House of Payer.
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