Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” At the sight of her tears, and those of the Jews who followed her, Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, “Where have you put him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept; and the Jews said, “See how much he loved him!” But there were some who remarked, “He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?” Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb; it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, “Take the stone away.” Martha said to him “Lord by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.” Jesus replied “Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: “Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me. But I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.”

Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.”

Prayer & Reflection

Again it is a long Gospel so do go and read the full text John 1:1-45. Take your time over the week to go back to it, read it over and sit with whatever word or image strikes you.

In the full text of this gospel it becomes clear that faith is a challenge. The disciple, Mary, Martha and the Jewish people who know Jesus struggle to have faith. The disciples are wary of Jesus going back anywhere near Jerusalem. Mary and Martha fail to understand what Jesus means and what he is capable of. The Jewish mourners are quick to point out that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death. They see his late arrival as failure rather than as an opportunity to show the glory of God. For all of them their belief and understanding are imperfect. But Jesus is not limited by the lack of belief. He still acts to bring new life.

As we look forward towards Holy Week and Easter are we prepared to come with all our struggles and lack of belief, open to the possibility that God can do something new and life giving for us? Do we believe that God loves us as we are not just as we think we ought to be? What is it in my life that is bound and dead like Lazarus? What would it mean to me to be offered new life? Am I open to receiving that new life?

Action

In the gospel it is the encounter with Jesus that gives strength and belief. In what ways do I create space in my life for that encounter through prayer, quiet reflection and the celebration of the sacraments?

That encounter also happens through the people and experiences of our lives. Take some time to think back. Who has given me strength and hope when times have been difficult?

What has given me life?

FOR THE NEWSLETTER

In this gospel it becomes clear that faith is a challenge. The disciple, Mary, Martha and the Jewish people who know Jesus struggle to have faith. The disciples are wary of Jesus going back anywhere near Jerusalem. Mary and Martha fail to understand what Jesus means and what he is capable of. The Jewish mourners are quick to point out that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death. They see his late arrival as failure rather than as an opportunity to show the glory of God. For all of them their belief and understanding are imperfect. But Jesus is not limited by the lack of belief. He still acts to bring new life.

As we look forward towards Holy Week and Easter are we prepared to come with all our struggles and lack of belief, open to the possibility that God can do something new and life giving for us? Do we believe that God loves us as we are not just as we think we ought to be? What is it in my life that is bound and dead like Lazarus? What would it mean to me to be offered new life? Am I open to receiving that new life?