Image Credit - Lazarus of Bethany – en.wikipedia.org
Deacon Tom Writes,
“Lord, If You Had Been Here”
The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a remarkable one, but he is not the first person that Jesus brought back to life. There are other accounts of people Jesus brought back from the dead. It’s just that Lazarus’ is the most dramatic, since by all accounts, he was dead the longest. The gospels also give accounts of how Jesus brought the son of the Widow of Nain back to life as well as Jairus’ daughter. Amazing accounts of Jesus’ awe filled public ministry. But, there is more to life than life……
We all have experienced times in our lives when we were not fully alive. We have all been down that lonely and fearsome road when we have suffered the loss of a loved one or have struggled with sickness ourselves or sat helplessly by and watched someone we love suffer a debilitating illness. We have all when been bruised and battered in the game of life one way or another. Perhaps we were traumatized by the lost a job or were found ourselves in a bad marriage or relationship. These are painful moments, moments when we can truly say and feel that we ourselves were caught in a death grip. Today’s gospel reminds us of the times when we have witnessed or experienced the therapeutic power that other peoples’ love has had in raising our morbid spirits to new life. The love and support of our spouses, friends and family can sustain us, give us hope and allow us to simply breathe when we are in desperate need and feel that we can’t go on; when we want to give up on life ourselves. The love and physical presence of others when we are merely going through the motions and pretending we are alive can truly lifts us up…. resurrects us and enabled us to get through the darkest of days. Have you forged and experienced such powerful relationship like this over the years? I hope that you have.
Being with others to help and console them through the difficult moments of their lives makes Christ’s Divine Presence a reality, as real his Eucharistic presence. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” MT 18:20
Our Lord desires to be present to everyone at all times but especially during times of our brokenness. Jesus calls his followers to bring his divine presence into the lives of others, without limit, condition or judgment…to listen and be there for them if only in shared silence, if that is what is needed.
Today’s gospel tells the wonderful story of Lazarus being reunited with his family through the miracle of his resurrection. We have the ability to help restore vitality, indeed life itself, to anyone we are willing to share the burden of life with by simply being with them, consoling them and being the very presence of God at a time when darkness seems to never end and the hope of tomorrow is yet to dawn.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Please Visit www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.
OTHER RESOURCE
Recommended Reading: Christ Among Us by Anthony J Wilhelm C.S.P is one of the most popular guides to modern Catholicism.
Recommended YouTube Video: The Spirituality of Everyday Life, Part 2 by Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O
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