From Deacon John Kren

 

In Lent we hear and we sing of Lenten journey. We hear and pray about conversion, growing from one stage to another, to live in between the old and the not yet. We have left behind four weeks of our Lent. We are on the edge of the last weeks, almost days, of Lent. Movement, change, conversion. Over the last weeks the tension has been mounting between Jesus and everyone around him. Some have come to believe through His word, some have come to see through His signs, His miracles. This is Jesus’ last miracle in John’s gospel, a resurrection that leads to death. This gospel brings together all levels of belief and reflecting their hopes and prayers for meaning in their lives.

In the Gospel each of the characters tell of their faith journey. The Disciples, do not question why Jesus waits two days before he decides to respond to the ‘prayer’. They advise against getting involved.

Mary and Martha, a faith filled family calls out to God for help. We have experienced these prayers, the family dynamics especially in stress filled situation as illness or death. Each family member has different needs and different expectations. Martha’s expectation of Jesus is that he is a miracle worker. Martha needed a miracle to believe. Mary waited for the Lord’s call and when it came, answered immediately.

There are the Jews, the mourners who have nothing to do at all with Jesus because he does not fit their idea of what God’s plan is for them. For them Jesus is a curiosity that entertains and sparks some good discussions.

For Jesus, this is the end of His ministry. Now approaching His darkest hour in Jerusalem, this death of His dear friend Lazarus, will become a sign of the Glory of God – a resurrection, life from death that foretells the death for life.