Fifth Sunday in Lent 2012, Cycle A

25 March 2012 5th Sunday of Lent – Cycle A Princeton, NJ

We are blessed again this afternoon to have our Candidates and the Elect join us as we celebrate the third
and final Scrutiny. It is during this time that the Elect, those who will be baptized in two weeks, and all of us,
are to examine our personal garbage. We called to shift through our hurts and wounds and addictions in
order that our eyes to be opened to the light of Christ that dwells within us.

The Cycle A readings from John’s Gospel are used during the Scrutinies because they carry strong
baptismal themes. Today's gospel of the raising of Lazarus gives us great insight on the fully human and
fully divine side of Jesus Christ as well as his relationship to community. This story presents some of the
most human dialogue and emotions between Jesus and his followers. So allow me to highlight three key
scenes that lead us to an ending which is often missed - and which carries the good news for today.

First we are given some insight into the relationship between Jesus and his disciples when Jesus tells them
that he wants to head back to Judea. Picture yourself in that scene. Do you hear the human amazement
and frustration in the voices of the disciples? “You want to go back to Judea? Hello Jesus! Isn’t that where
you were nearly stoned to death?” The disciples really have no interest in going. Lazarus is dead, the Jews
want to stone Christ and he wants to go back? Why bother? Jesus, rather than saying, “OK, no problem,
you hang here while I go back by myself,” somewhat persists and tells them that they all have to come along.
He wants them to stay together. He wants his community to move with him. And so it is Thomas, the one
who will later doubt him, who speaks up with great faith, along with what may sound like an added dose of
sarcasm and humor, and says “OK, if you are going, we might as well go and die too!”

The second key relational scene is when Jesus meets Martha. You remember Martha – in an earlier story
she was the in-your-face sister who complained that she was doing all the dishes while her sister, Mary, sat
around at the feet of Jesus. So there is no doubt that she was the one who came flying out of her home, to
the outskirts of town right in the face of Jesus with what may have sounded something more like, “Where you
been! My brother loved you so much and if you had been here he would not be dead!” Can you feel her
pain...can you feel his pain? Remember Christ is fully human – no different than you and me. So can you
imagine what this encounter looked and sounded like? Jesus, full of compassion and sorrow calmly replies
that her brother will rise again. And Martha, missing the point says, “Yeah, yeah I know, he will rise in the
resurrection on that last day.” You can tell that Jesus spent a great deal of time at their home – for she knew
his teachings. But Jesus responds with a new revelation that is really a summary of the entire gospel of
John: “I am the resurrection and whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live and everyone who lives and
believes in me will never die.” And when Christ asks Martha if she believes, with incredible faith and love of
Christ, she affirms that Christ is indeed the Son of God.

This sets the stage for the climax of the story. Indeed, with this incredible miracle, Christ gives glory to his
Father and demonstrates for all that was sent by the Father. But there is more to this gospel. For the
significance of this gospel is what takes place surrounding the miracle of Lazarus coming back to life. Jesus
1 Deacon Jim Knipper

stands before the tomb of Lazarus, filled with the stench of death. The same tomb that represents the part of
us we are called to scrutinize, to shift through, and to examine. The same tomb which symbolizes the
deadness, the coldness, and the hardships in each of our own lives, which, at times can seem and feel like
death.

But before his miracle look at what Christ does. He first invites all those there, including the disciples who
whined about coming back with him, to roll away the stone. It is then that Jesus calls forth Lazarus from the
dead. And afterwards he, again, invites the entire community to participate by untying Lazarus from the
cloths that still had him bound on this Earth. Clearly Jesus could have done that himself! But he invited all
of them – just as he invites all of us - to join him in the miracle of giving life to others.

For me, this is the heart of the Lazarus story – that is, the Lord God alone gives life and yet God also deeply
desires us to participate! The risen Lord cannot work miracles unless a community of believers is willing to
share in the work of rolling away the stones that oppress us. Is willing to untie each other from the bonds we
have to our darkness. Is willing to walk with each other even during the times we rather not bother. Christ
knew his own death was fast approaching and soon the community would be without him. So he gave
meaning to all those present of how and why they needed to gather together. While not using the term
‘church', his message of ‘community’ was clear: relationship with Christ is more than a “Christ – me”
relationship. Our relationship with Christ must include others.

That is why we are here, that is why we come to church. But often I will hear, “Nah, I don’t bother coming to
church every weekend because it’s boring and the homilies are bad, the priest or deacon drives me crazy
and I get nothing out of it.” But they are missing the gospel message. Coming to church is not all about you.
Mass is not a spectator sport. Rather it is all about participation. That is what Christ was demonstrating to
his followers in the gospel. It is about showing up with your God given gifts. It’s about being present to
others. It’s about being part of a community that unties the bonds and rolls away the stones for each other
so that we are freed from the stench of our human tombs. And in doing so, the grace of God flows through
you...the Light of Christ shines from you…and the breath of the Spirit unifies you with others. This is the true
meaning of community. This is what church should be about and this is why we gather here every weekend -
to be church to and with each other!

Being a community calls for us to put aside selfish goals, private interests and our egos, all of which Paul
refers to in today’s second reading as ‘flesh.’ It calls for each person to use their time and talent and
treasure to respond to the needs of others. The name Lazarus means ‘God helps us’, and indeed God does.
But we need to understand that this is a two way street. We need to remember that what we do each
day….all of our actions….all of our interactions… are part of God’s plan as we are God’s feet and hands.
Please always remember that God always desires your active participation, so that together we can live a life
that is with Christ…in Christ….and through Christ...now and forever.

2 Deacon Jim Knipper

Fifth Sunday in Lent 2012, Cycle A

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