Cycle A
Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45
Author: Fr. Eamonn O´Higgins, LC

THEME OF THE READINGS
The theme of resurrection is present in today´s readings on differing levels. The prophet Ezekiel speaks to the exiled Israelites in Babylon during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. He seems to be foretelling the future restoration of the exiles to their own land of Israel. When the prophet says that the Lord Yahweh will "open your graves and raise you from your graves (v.13)" the immediate sense of the words seems to imply the end of the exile in Babylon.

St. John´s Gospel completes the understanding of resurrection in the eloquent episode of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Above all, it seems to be Jesus´ intention to show in miniature the final resurrection of believers at the end of time, on "the last day." (v.24) He also prefigures his own resurrection that is due to happen a short time later, and he shows the depth of his own love for Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, and his regard for their suffering.

St. Paul reminds the Roman Christians the power of God´s Spirit that will "give life to your own mortal bodies." (v.11) He implies that this new life is not something that will start only on the last day, but is taking effect in their lives now. For this reason he encourages them to live now, according to the Spirit.

Psalm 130 asks the Lord to hear the cry of the psalmist´s heart. The psalmist also knows that pardon and mercy are the Lord´s gifts for those who seek them, so he trusts in the Lord´s words.

DOCTRINAL MESSAGE
Death and resurrection: It is a characteristic of our Christian experience that it takes place within the natural course of human life that ends in death; the appearance of life´s realities remains the same. What is different is our inner spiritual experience and the new Christian significance of what is really happening. This reality is foreshadowed in the restoration of Israel from exile, and clearly dramatized by the raising of Lazarus. We see change, decay and death; we experience the opposite: purpose, life, and expectation. It is not always easy to make these two paradoxical experiences compatible. Death is the final disclosure of a reality that is presently only interior.

Catechism references: Paragraph 400 refers to the entrance of death into human history; paragraphs 1005-1014 deal with the Christian meaning of death; paragraphs 988-1004 speak of the resurrection from the dead.

PASTORAL APPLICATIONS
It is not easy to understand what resurrection means. We have heard of an afterlife, and we have all spoken words of sympathy to those who suffer the death of a loved one. But how do we sort out in our hearts the apparent contradiction between what we see and what we believe?

It is necessary to understand human experience. Pain and sorrow are compatible with Christian belief. We are not stoical nor do we try to deny the profound tragedy of death. We are tempted to do so, to use euphemisms or just to turn away and shut out what we see. Perhaps few of us can bear to face the baffling and painful experience of death.

It may be that, by his delay, Jesus also wanted to show Martha and Mary that the tears of suffering do not contradict his promise of resurrection.

It may be that it is not in what we want that we are deceived, but in the unimaginable way (for us) in which it will happen. The love of friends, permanence, happiness are all implanted deep in the human spirit, and yet what we see, in a realistic view of this life, are fleeting moments on a very shifting landscape. We need to raise in faith the eyes of our mind beyond our present, insufficient answers. There is a greater vision that gives meaning to what we see in this life.

This can have a liberating effect on how we live our lives today. I no longer need to hold onto false securities because I know that what I really search for will be given to me from another source. I am free to see and to value things for what they are. I do not transfer my deepest desires into what will always slip through my fingers. The real form of Christian detachment requires the greater attachment to what really fills my heart.

C.S. Lewis describes the process of his own pain upon the death of his wife. His language is a lot different from the apologetic explanations of previous works:

"And so, perhaps, with God I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own frantic need that slammed it in my face? The time when there is nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can´t give it; you are like the drowning man who can´t be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear."

"On the other hand, ´Knock and it shall be opened.´ But does knocking mean hammering and kicking the door like a maniac? And there´s also ´To him that hath shall be given.´ After all, you must have a capacity to receive, or even omnipotence can´t give. Perhaps your own passion temporarily destroys the capacity." (A Grief Observed).