5th Sunday of Lent year A

Jesus Wept!

Despite the long Gospel passage today, the shortest verse is "Jesus wept."  In these short two words, we can see that our God also experiences human sorrow. 

Many of us have lost a loved one, someone close to us.  We may know what it's like to experience intense sorrow and grief.  The second person of the Holy Trinity also experiences sorrow and grief at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus.  

It was said that some people tried to omit the particular verse "Jesus Wept" when copying the Scriptures.  Weeping is a sign of weakness.  It is a sign of vulnerability.  This attribute would seem to be in contradiction with a God that is All-Powerful and All-Mighty.

Christ is fully God, this we know as true.  But Christ is also fully human.  This passage shows that he is fully human who can relate and identify completely with humility.

Resurrection

To show that He is the Promised Messiah, he raises Lazarus from the dead.  "Lazarus, come out."  By raising Lazarus, it is foretaste of what is to come.    

As Catholics, one the things we say in the Apostles Creed is: we believe in the resurrection of the body.  In the Nicene, Constantinople Creed, we say that we believe in the Resurrection of the Dead.  It is not just a resuscitation of the corpse, but a transformation or resurrection of the body.  

What does this mean?  This means that we believe that since Christ was raised from the dead on the third day, and has a glorified Body, we shall also be like him.  Like Christ, we shall also have a glorified body.

Christ had a glorified body that can walk through walls.  The Sacred Scriptures says that although the doors in the upper room were locked, because the disciples were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Christ appeared to the Apostles.  

He showed the Apostles his hands and his side.  In other words, he showed them his wounds.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw it was The Risen Lord.

  I believe in the resurrection of the body.  If Christ had a glorified body, we shall also like Christ have a glorified body.  

When I was in my youth, my grandfather died.  I remember that our family was preparing for the funeral for Grandfather.  And my mom took me aside and said to me: son, remember that when Grandfather's casket is lowered into the ground, be sure to cry for your grandfather.  

But I said to Mom, don't we believe that there is eternal life.  Why should we cry when we know that Grandfather will be alive again. And  I remember trying to cry at the funeral and at the graveside service, but I just couldn't cry.  I pretended to cry but there were no tears.

About a week later, I remember my grandmother telling us a story that she was in the yard, hanging up clothes to dry.  And she looked over and saw grandfather at a distance.  She knew it was him.  He looked very healthy.  And a few seconds later, he disappeared.  I believe in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.  

I remember in my first year as a priest up in Ferndale Wa.  The Pastor was away, and the Deacon's wife, Lorraine, was on her deathbed.  So they called for me to come for the Sacrament of Anointing and Viaticum which means food for the journey.  

I remember arriving at the Deacon's home, and as soon as I got out of the car, I noticed that there were large number of children in the front yard.  They were having a blast, running around, yelling and screaming and playing tag.  Then when I got into the house, the adults were a totally different story.  They had long faces.  It was very solemn and quiet.  Everyone was sad that the Deacon's wife is dying.  After the anointing, I headed back to the Church, and again the children outside were exhibiting great joy.  In many ways, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if we could maintain the joy that the children have, in regards to physical death, especially because we believe in the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection.  

Jesus says: I am the resurrection and the life.   Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.  And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?  Martha said to Jesus: yes Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God, the one who is coming into the world.

St Therese of Liseux once shared in her autobiography about her view of death and resurrection.  This story is from Therese's mother.  Therese's mother said about Therese: "Baby is the dearest little rogue; she comes to kiss me, and at the same time wishes me to die. 'Oh, how I wish you would die, dear Mamma,' she said, and when she was scolded she was quite astonished, and answered: 'But I want you to go to Heaven, and you say we must die to go there'; and in her outburst of affection for her Father she wishes him to die too. 

The dear little thing will hardly leave me, she follows me everywhere, but likes going into the garden best; when I am not there she refuses to stay, and cries so much that they are obliged to bring her back. She will not even go upstairs alone without calling me at each step, 'Mamma! Mamma!' and if I forget to answer 'Yes, darling!' she waits where she is, and will not move."

Next week will be passion Sunday or Palm Sunday, and the following is Easter.  May the resurrection of Christ sustain our hope in our own resurrection with The Lord.