Trust And Obey

Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Sunday, March 29, 2020

As far as we can determine, Jesus was not formally trained in any rabbinic school, nor was he educated to be a temple priest or scribe. He was not a follower of any of the Pharisees, or Sadducees, or the Essenes. He was in a way, a layman, an everyday Jew. He grew up in obscurity. We know almost nothing of his first 30 years. It is generally believed he was trained as a carpenter. But in 30 AD, he appears on the scene in a most extraordinary way. And throughout his ministry, he speaks and acts like God. He speaks with unprecedented and unnerving boldness. He claims personal authority over the Torah itself which was the divine law that was considered the court of final appeal for any faithful rabbi. He performs great miracles of healing and demonstrates a mastery over the forces of nature. In last Sunday’s Gospel, he restores the sight of a man born blind. In today’s Gospel, he speaks in time to Lazarus, and Lazarus who had transitioned unto eternity hears him and comes back. In both the cure of the blind man and the raising of Lazarus, (John 11:1-45), Jesus continues to demonstrate his unmatched authority over suffering and death. He says what no other religious figure ever said, “I am the Resurrection and the life.” To their infinite credit, Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius and other religious figures never made such bold claims. Muhammad only said he was a messenger, and that he received a message from God. Buddha never made such bold claim; he only said he found a way and wants people to follow it. Moses only said he received the law from God and wants to give it to the people. As for Jesus, he did not say he found a way, he said, “I am the Way.” He never said there is a new mode of life that he found and will like to share it with you. He says, “I am the life.” He never said there is this knowledge that he unraveled and want you to know it for it is the truth. He said, “I am the truth.” In today’s Gospel, he adds something totally new and powerful: “I am the Resurrection.” He speaks to Martha with unimaginable certainty and certitude: “Your brother will rise.” In all of these, Jesus demonstrates that he is the very incarnation of God; Yahweh in human flesh who is moving among his people. He also paints a beautiful picture of his mission and his intimacy with his Father. 

The story of the raising of Lazarus from death is a story that many of us know all too well. We have heard it over and over again, and may have even read it ourselves. It is a lengthy story that is difficult to break down during a regular Sunday Mass. For good and bad, I have the reputation of preaching long, and I am trying to do something about it. So, I am not going to retell the story or go into a detailed theological or spiritual or even emotional analysis and interpretation of today’s Gospel. The Gospel is littered with one liners, catch phrases, hit quotes, and punchlines. One of them is in a question form. When Jesus asks that the stone used to cover the tomb of Lazarus be taken away, Martha quickly warned, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Responding to her comment, Jesus asks her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” 

Sisters and brothers, Jesus Christ, our brother in our humanity and our Lord in his divinity is urging us to believe in him. In this time of heightened fear, worry, anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty, he calls us to still believe in him. Martha and Mary seemed disappointed that Jesus did not visit them on time: “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Yet, they believed that whatever Jesus asks of God, God will answer. Both sisters, at the zenith and apex of their grief, still believed and trusted in Jesus. In this deeply troubling time, we can emulate them. Jesus says that if we believe we will see the glory of God. And here is the good news. The God we serve  is not an indifferent God. He is not a Deus absconditus— a God who absconds, runs away, hidden somewhere and ignores human suffering. He is suffering with us. He identifies with us. At the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany, Jesus weeps. He weeps because he cares. He weeps with his friends; by doing so, he shows his humanity, and identifies with their pains and sorrows. The good news from today’s Gospel is that Jesus identifies with his people through thick and thin. As we take all the precautionary measures we are being asked to undertake like washing our hands regularly, intentionally practicing social distancing, covering our mouth when we cough or sneeze, not touching our faces etc. let’s also do what the two sisters of Bethany— Mary and Martha did in the face of pain— trust in Jesus who is the Resurrection and the Life. 

God bless you. We are praying for you here and remember to pray for us as well. Together in prayer we will fight and defeat this invisible enemy. Amen.