In the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After
a long and cold winter, springtime has finally arrived! The season has changed.
Everything is renewing itself.
What happens in nature reminds us of
the Paschal Mystery, the center of our faith. The Passion, Death, Resurrection
and Glorification of Jesus Christ are like the final passage from the dark, cold
winter to the glorious, joyful spring.
It is very important to remember
that our journey is taking us toward something absolutely positive, a destiny of
beauty and joy. Our sorrows and sacrifices as pilgrims are transient. We walk
with hope because we already know that the Way of the Cross is a glorious path.
The pains of this life are our way to glorification.
Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is
one of His greatest miracles, a clear manifestation of His human and divine
nature.
We see Jesus grieving for the death
of his good friend Lazarus. We see the Son of Man weeping, just as we weep when
we lose someone we love.
It is essential to contemplate
Christ’s humanity. Jesus was a real human being! It is very impressive to see
God made man grieving and weeping. Jesus fully entered into our humanity.
This becomes clearer when Jesus said
on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
It is amazing that Jesus raised
Lazarus from the dead. However, it is even more amazing that Jesus wept for
Lazarus. Our God is close to us and feels what we feel. It would be completely
different if Jesus had only raised Lazarus, without weeping. In Jesus’
perturbation, we see God grieving with us.
“Lazarus, come out!” Jesus’ powerful
voice woke Lazarus from the dead. Jesus’ voice has the power to deliver us from
the webs of death. With a word, he can change our lives. The embrace of his
mercy releases us from the tombs that imprison us.
Jesus wants to give us his life: “I
came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). Christ
ardently desires to revitalize our lives. He seeks openness in our hearts
because he wants bring his light to us.
The
renewal of nature invites us to renewal in our own lives, through the grace of
God’s merciful love. This occurs in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Have you
scheduled your Lenten confession yet?
In the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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