Jesus had something to say about living and dying. He made claim that he is the resurrection and the life, and that whoever believes in Him will never die. Our Lords assertion is just as relevant today as in the first century because death is just as destructive in our day as it was then. Close to home we see our dearest relatives die from cancer and our youth are killed in car accidents and drug overdoses. We read about people in other parts of the world being wiped out by war, starvation and disease.
We also experience other forms of death whenever we see marriages end in divorce, religious vocations terminated by departures, and careers cut short by unemployment. We suffer a kind of death every time our environment gets polluted, parochial schools close from the lack of funds, and big cities decay from crime and violence. Indeed, we too need to hear that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Because we experience death in so many ways, we can’t help but wonder: Is there any meaning to life, or is it just an absurd existence? Is there some glorious destiny for us, or is this all just a futile endeavor?
In today’s gospel Jesus answers these questions. He tells us that death is not the last word and we are called to eternal life. Like Lazarus, we will rise from the dead. Jesus comes to tell us that life has meaning and value. If we have faith like Martha and Mary, we will see the glory of God. No matter how devastating death may seem, with Martha and Mary we make a leap of faith and say: “Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah the Son of God. You are the resurrection and the life.”
God Bless,
Msgr. Powell
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