Readings: Ez. 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; John 11:1-45
Untie Him and Let Him Go!
1. The readings of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent in Year A are carefully selected to be used for scrutinies. “The scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance and have, above all, a spiritual purpose. They are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen, all that is upright, strong, and good.” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). We saw that in the story of the Samaritan woman (3rd Sunday of Lent), who came to the well to draw water (John 4:5-42). From her interaction with Jesus, she discovered that Jesus is the Messiah who came to give us everlasting life through his words. Jesus told her: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14). In the story of the man born blind, John 9:1-41 (4th Sunday of Lent), we discover that we are all blind; hence, we must accept our blindness, faults, and shortcomings and go to Jesus for a cure. Christ warns: “If you were blind, then you would not be guilty; but since you claim that you can see, this means that you are still blind.” (9:41). In the bible classes hailed on Wednesdays of Lent, we look at the ‘Our Father’ prayer, to see the implications of this prayer in our lives and the fact we have not been able to apply it to our life as we should. In the second part of the Our Father, we ask God to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us. The problem is that we do not forgive as a people. If we do not uncover why we should forgive those who sinned against us, beginning with ourselves, others, and God, we will not be able to live the authentic Christian life. Let us ask Christ to open our eyes so we may see him as our Savior, our Lord, and our God. In today’s Gospel reading from John 11:1-45, we see Jesus at the graveside of his friend, Lazarus. Christ wept for him and then raised him to life again. Jesus tells us: “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.” (Jn. 11:25).
2. In the first reading, Ezekiel promised the people that God had not abandoned them. He is with them permanently to rescue and bring them back to the land of Israel. “O my people, I will open your graves, and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” (Ezekiel 37:12). God promised to pour out his spirit on the dead bones and restore them to life again. In the Gospel, Jesus wept for Lazarus before he brought him back to life. He told those standing by to untie Lazarus, who came out of the tomb “tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in cloth, and let him go.” (Jn. 11:44).
3. When faced with sad and frustrating situations, we want to hear those words, untie him, and let him go. We want someone to say; it will be ok; you are not alone; I am here. If there is anything you want, call on me. This is the time to see Jesus weeping with us. Let us be consoled that the Christ who weeps with us knows what to do for us, to draw us out of the darkness of despair to the light of his love. His love and concern for us will triumph over our sadness, pain, and loss. We must trust him enough to entrust our worries and anxiety to him. The book of Proverbs cautions us that “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Prov. 12:25). And Peter urged us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7). While Paul encourages us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
4. The God who does the impossible will do the possible for us in our despair and worries. We must do what Mary and Martha did - send words to Jesus, wait for Christ to show up, and then run out to welcome him, hoping he will cry for us and with us. After weeping, he will ask us, where have you kept him? What is the problem? How can I help you? Once these questions are asked, we know that our miracle is close at hand. He will call out in a loud voice and restore us to wholeness. He will call for us to be untied, released, and set free. Christ needed others to unbind Lazarus. He wants us to cooperate with him to free ourselves from bondage. We must be free from our shackles, frustrations, and doubts so that Christ may give life to our brokenness.
5. May we never give up hope, for we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday. We are not alone. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). We pray that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is our life and our resurrection, may set us free from the sin of unforgiveness and teach us how to live a life of forgiveness and mercy. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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