Fifth Sunday of Lent

John 11: 1-45

 

It’s good to rest.   That’s why we sleep.  If we don’t sleep, we’re no good for anything or to anyone.

However, at some point we must wake up and get back to work.  We can’t sleep the day away.   If we do, we’re certainly no good for anything or to anyone.

 

It’s good to rest, relax and restore on a retreat.  Yet, at some point we need to return to the “real” world.   Otherwise, we’re just hiding from the real world. We may feel renewed, but, for what?  The intent is to use that break so that we can be better able to do the work we are called to do.

 

Even Jesus took breaks. It is said that there are nine occasions where scripture tells us, in so many words, that Jesus went off to pray.  But each time he returned, renewed, to the mission that the Father had given him.

 

When we lose loved ones we say, “May they rest in peace.”   Even while dealing with our loss, our grief, we know through our faith that their suffering is over, and that paradise awaits them.  We pray, “Eternal rest grant unto him/her, Oh Lord …”  Yet, we also know that they are called to new life, eternal life.

 

When we hear the story of Lazarus we certainly understand that he has now entered the realm of eternal rest/eternal life.  That he has now transcended the trials and tribulations of this world.  We can imagine that comfort and peace he must have been experiencing as he lay in rest in the tomb, though this time was difficult, indeed, for his sisters, Martha and Mary and for his friend, Jesus.

 

However, his work on this earth was not yet done.  There was more for him to do, even if it was only to stand as a witness for all the ages of the power, glory and mercy of God.

 

So, whenever we discern the need take a break, to sleep, to rest, recharge, renew, we also must be mindful that this is not the goal in and of itself, because Jesus always calls us to more.  Eternal rest and eternal life will be ours someday, but not yet. We cannot become lulled into a sense of bliss by the comfort that a temporary break provides.  Complacency, self-isolation and despair are forms of death.  Jesus doesn’t want that; it makes him weep.  So He calls to us, “Come out!”  His words bring us to new life and loosen that which binds us.

 

The story of Lazarus is a reminder that our purpose is to live life and serve God to the fullest, and to love without limits.

 

 

“Call Me Ishmael”

 

Into His arms.

In this week’s Gospel, John 9:1–41, Jesus restores sight to a blind man.

As Jesus and the disciples were traveling, they came across a man who had been blind from birth. The first question the disciples asked Jesus was, “Who sinned? Was it this man or his parents that caused him to be blind?” In other words, why was he being punished?

Jesus rejected those questions and explained that just because someone is suffering does not mean they are being punished. In fact, it may be the opposite. It may be that God is able to work a blessing through that person’s suffering and do something that will positively change their life. In this moment, the disciples receive a lesson that we can all learn from: God works in our lives in ways that we may not understand, but that are ultimately for our good.

How many times have you been disappointed and unsure of what to make of it? I’m talking about those moments when you were completely let down and struggled to understand why. Have you ever lost an opportunity that you thought was yours? Have you ever lost someone you thought you couldn’t live without?

What I have found is that our small minds cannot fully grasp the power of the Lord. God wants us to have the life He has planned for us, not always the life we want for ourselves. In some cases, the life we want will not lead us closer to God. If that is the case, expect a detour. Expect to be rerouted.

God wants what is best for us and for our relationship with Him. He may close a door or remove someone from your life if it means drawing you closer to Him. What seems like a lost opportunity is usually something completely different. It may be the very experience you need to change course. Don’t be so sure that God has taken you off the right path—He may be leading you straight into His arms.

God has worked in my life through so many disappointments. Time after time, I’ve had to pick up the pieces of a shattered heart or a missed opportunity. In those moments, when I am being “rerouted,” it feels like my world is falling apart. But now I can say that has never truly been the case. God has been right a whopping 100 percent of the time.

When I look back, I can see that many times God’s favor has come disguised as an unfortunate situation. My trust is, and always has been, placed in the Lord, even when I cannot clearly see the plan. No different from the blind man in the Gospel, who was unable to see until Jesus made it possible.

Take a good look at your life and think about all the times you have been blinded by the nonsense of this world. The shiny objects, the newsfeed, the negativity of the people around you—all of it has a way of ruining our vision. This world is full of blinders that keep us from seeing the right path for our lives. This is exactly why God has to keep rerouting us.

If I can be honest, God’s path is narrow, less traveled, and filled with potholes. It is not easy to be a follower of Christ, but it is rewarding.

The rewards are not the material wins that most people think about. The true reward is knowing that you have a relationship with the Lord that is rooted in His love for you. This reward cannot be earned or won. It has already been given to each one of us. All we have to do is accept it and trust that, with or without sight, we are being led exactly where God wants us to be.