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From Give Me Jesus, p. 57, by David Haas. Copyright 2009, GIA Publications, Inc.

This song comes from the amazing story of the raising of Lazarus. Prior to the hopeful words, “I am the resurrection, I am the life; all who believe in me shall live,” we see a Jesus who weeps over the loss of his friend. True resurrection is preceded by sadness and death, even for Jesus.

While not a literal translation, the name Lazarus has been paraphrased to mean “God to the rescue!” Resurrection is far more than a bodily resuscitation. Resurrection is rescue from the many deaths that occur in our lives and all that would take us hostage. To embrace Jesus and his resurrection is to embrace hope. To embrace Jesus and his resurrection is to say loudly and clearly to the forces of sin and hate, “You will not prevail!”

The Lord’s voice had to be loud and piercing in order for Lazarus to hear it through the rock and many bandages as well as through the stench of death. The voice of Jesus promising resurrection is always trying to break through our own many barriers and tombs. At times, this voice is yelling “Come out!” to all of us bound by the bandages that have been imposed upon us, sometimes by our very selves.

Why is this refrain sung over and over again, almost relentlessly? Because we usually do not hear it or get it at first; sometimes we need to be hit over the head, so to speak. We need to keep telling ourselves over and over again, however unbelievable, that this Jesus is our resurrection from every kind of death that surrounds us. Let’s keep the song going in our heads and hearts, and hopefully, like Lazarus, we will be rescued and emerge rejoicing from our tombs.

On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we join with our RCIA candidates and elect in taking a closer look at ourselves. Let us pray silently for a moment, that all of us will be given a sense of sin, a spirit of repentance, and true freedom as children of God.

Let us all ask ourselves:

• What are the things that keep us entombed?

• How can we remove our many bandages and step into the light of day?

• What is Jesus trying to say to us as we move from bondage to
resurrection?

Let us pray:

Christ Jesus,
there are so many things
that break us down,
where hope seems lost,
and survival seems
at its end.

Come now,
and rise in us today.

Come now,
and help us to be a part
of your resurrection song.

Come now,
and rescue us
once and for all

Amen.

From Give Me Jesus, p. 55, by David Haas. Copyright 2009, GIA Publications, Inc.

There is a subtle but important difference between being cured and healed. To be cured of something means it will never come back, never haunt one’s life again. To be healed is something much deeper and broader. Healing is a process that takes place over time, and it brings about a transformation of body and soul. We usually see the story of Jesus and the man born blind as one of physical blindness and its cure. But it is really a story of healing, of restoration of physical sight, yes, but, more importantly, of the beginning of spiritual vision.

You see, we are all like the blind man – we are all born spiritually blind. And we stumble in the spiritual darkness, hurting ourselves and one another. It is only through our encounter with Jesus, the Light of the World, that we begin to see. Jesus heals the blind man—and all of us—from living our lives in the dark. Jesus opens up new worlds for all of us who want to be free from the prison of darkness.

We sometimes do not really see the gift of life that God lays before us. Jesus opens up new worlds for all of us who feel trapped by sin, addictions, hate, anger, hopelessness, self-loathing, past choices, illness, loneliness, and fear of life.

This profound story of restoration is not about just one individual’s physical sight, but more importantly, a birth of insight. Many people are never cured of their afflictions. But Jesus offers the promise of healing so that our afflictions will not consume us and win the day. It is a gift offered to all through the grace of faith.

On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we join with our RCIA candidates and elect in taking a closer look at ourselves. Let us pray silently for a moment, that all of us will be given a sense of sin, a spirit of repentance, and true freedom as children of God.

Let us all ask ourselves:

• Where is darkness in our minds and hearts?

• How can we be more open to receive the healing that Jesus promises?

• How have we grown in seeing more clearly on our journey of faith?

Let us pray:

Christ Jesus,
come and open our eyes,
our minds,
and our hearts
to receive the healing
that we so desperately need.

We believe beyond believing
that you are new sight
and new life for us
when we trust in you
and relinquish our lives
to your care and protection.

Come now,
heal the darkness of our lives.

Amen.