Monday of Holy Week
Ever since I can remember, I’ve pondered what life after death would be like. And occasionally, throughout my young life, I’ve been blessed with experiences in which I get a tiny glimpse of what I think it will be like. For instance, seemingly unending mornings spent hiking, unexpected moments of consolation in Eucharistic Adoration, and, without question, my wedding day, have all given me a deeper, yet inexpressible, understanding of life after death. And perhaps you’ve had similar experiences? Being raised in a Catholic home, one common denominator has remained with regard to my understanding of life after death: God would be there. That much I knew for sure! I am eternally grateful for that awareness and my heaven-like experiences on earth which have only reinforced that truth in my life. To many, life after death is an absurdity. To others, life after death is a coping mechanism to somehow deal with our own mortality. But for the Christian, life after death is reality!
In today’s Gospel reading from John, I am captivated by the character of Lazarus, who John casually describes twice as the person “whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” Wow! What a fantastic way to describe someone! I can’t help but wonder about the thoughts that must have been going through the mind of Lazarus as he reclined at table with Christ. For Lazarus, life after death was indeed his reality. As Christians, most of us have had a Lazarus experience in one way or another. Perhaps we have not legally died and returned to a normal life, but we have all sinned and experienced the mercy of a loving Father who brings us back to life. Recall the words of the father of the prodigal son, who says to the older brother, “We must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come back to life again.” (Luke 15:32) Therefore, I find Lazarus to be one of the most relatable characters in all of Scripture because we too have died and returned to life!
So, being brought back to life, how should we live? Reflecting on Lazarus in today’s Gospel, I think we can find some important answers to this question. First, Lazarus is described as one of those reclining at table with Jesus, showcasing the intimacy of their relationship after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. We are also called to this same personal relationship with Jesus, particularly with respect to the Eucharist! In fact, every Mass is literally another opportunity for us to recline at table with Christ and to simply be with the One who raised us to new life. Secondly, John notes that the large crowd came to Bethany to not only see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus because he had been raised from the dead. Just like Lazarus, our lives are living proof that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. We bear witness to Christ through our new lives and must strive to live lives that are consistent with someone who has been raised from dead. Thirdly, John writes that the chief priests were plotting to kill Lazarus because many of the Jews were believing in Jesus because of him. As disciples, we also must be prepared to face the persecution that comes from knowing Christ.
Just like Lazarus, our life after death is only made possible by the direct intervention of Jesus Christ. In today’s first reading from Isaiah, we are reminded that it is only God who gives breath to the people of the earth. In other words, it is God who gives us life- both here on earth and our life after death. It is God who, as Isaiah describes, grasps us by the hand. It is God who saves us and brings us back to a new life, which has been bought at an expensive price- the cross of Jesus. We must never forget this and never take it for granted! Even in today’s Gospel, as Lazarus enjoyed his new life after death, Jesus was preparing for His own death as Mary anointed His feet with perfumed oil. It is Jesus who dies so that we might live again!
As we begin Holy Week today and with Easter only one week away, let us remember the words of the Nicene Creed, in which we profess that we “look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Today, let us profess these words with a deeper love for Christ and a renewed appreciation for His sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus has given us life after death! So, let us rejoice over our opportunity to recline at table with the Lord and may we pray for the grace to bear witness to Christ through our new lives and accept the persecution that comes with our discipleship of Jesus. Amen.
- Ryan J. Mahle