Real Men Don't Cry?
The Raising of Lazarus by Rembrandt (1630) Public Domain
5th Sunday of Lent
April 6, 2014
This week there is another long Gospel. It is the beautiful story of the Raising of Lazarus. Easter is getting closer; only a few weeks away.
The readings you hear today deal with our own mortality, (Ezekiel 37:12-14), and Jesus’ promise to every one of us for Eternal Life, (Romans 8:8-11). The people of Ezekiel’s time looked forward to freedom from oppression. The Letter to the Romans speaks of “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit”.
In John’s Gospel, (John 11:1-45), Jesus weeps over the death of His close friend Lazarus.
I don’t know how many times I have heard the expression, “Real men don’t cry.” Today’s Gospel tosses that saying in the trash heap. If Jesus wept over the death of a friend, what makes anyone think that that emotion is weak?
Being the true Son of God, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and restored life to His friend. The power of God’s Word can restore life in us as well. Here is something worth pondering in these later days of Lent. What has “died” in you? What can the Holy Spirit restore in your life?
Fr. Dave Kobak, OFM
All of us have dark areas in our lives; places that we would rather not think about or revisit. Besides the fear of physical death, there may be things in your own spirit that have died and need to be brought back to life. In these waning days of Lent, place your trust in the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
Being chronically human, we think that there is much that is impossible to accomplish. Deepen your faith! Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus. Jesus weeps when He sees you bound in fear. Permit yourself to allow Jesus to restore what has died in you.
Love,
Father Dave
Fr. Dave Kobak, OFM, is pastor of Holy Family Church in Oldenburg, Indiana.
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Posted in: Lent and Easter, Missions, Prayer
