March 22, 2026 V Sunday of Lent - World Water Day
John Chapter 11
The gospel according to St. John, chapter 11, presents the great miracle of bringing Lazarus back to life. We have been hearing this from our childhood that we have become too familiar with it, that it does not strike us with awe or surprise. Perhaps, we take it as another story of Jesus' remarkable life.
It is towards the end of his public life, and this is happening at Bethany, just about a few kilometres away from the national and religious capital of Jerusalem, the city of peace (Let us pray that peace returns to this city and the people around it - Yerushalayim - Yeru - foundation and shalem - perhaps, an ancient deity's name; perhaps related to Shalom - peace).
1. Human condition of illness - sickness and need for healing, wholeness and health
As I celebrate today's mass with Bp Conrard Memorial (BCM) hospital, the theme of 'the need for wholeness/wellness' does not need much of an introduction. The entire system here and majority of this assembly are geared to that goal.
In spite of our desire to be whole, and in spite of the Almighty God, almost all of us face the issue of illness, in varying degrees, and sometimes, in a fatal manner, making some of us doubtful of God's power, and we are led to exclaim, 'why thus, why me?'. Here we find in an evident manner, despite his thick friendship with the family, he lets adversities befall them - and then, frees them from them to prove that God, the loving Father, as he experienced and presented, has ways of working towards his glory, and our empowerment and healing, through adversities.
Let us remember his saying: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (Jn 11:40)
2. Jesus' friendship circle - He loved them.
We see Jesus' friendship circle, which included this family. They are comforted by him. They comfort him. This friendship is blessed by God. Are we able to build friendships that make life whole? Let us bring our friends to the Lord's table of blessings. Also, remembering that despite all the goodness of the earthly friendships, the most reliable friend we can have would be Jesus - What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear; what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!
3. Jesus' proof of being the Messiah itself becomes the cause of his death.
The miracle happens in Bethany, just about 2 miles away from Jerusalem. He already has death threats. And he had discreetly avoided such situations. But now, he is acting in public. Of course, he had brought back Jairus' daughter, who was thought to be dead - but, it was done within a short span of time after her death. Then, there is the widow's son at Nain. Here again, the young man was being taken to the burial ground - perhaps, on the very same day of death. The Jewish belief is that the soul would hover around the body for about 3 days and then depart for good. (We read recently that a dead man being taken to the burial ground, came back to life, with the vehicle hitting a ditch on the road.)
But this was drastically different. Lazarus was dead. He was buried. And it was the fourth day. And Jesus could command him back to life and proving that he had authority over life - which God alone had, and hence he was from God!! While many believed, and while the family and friends rejoiced, it sent panic signals to those in power - and they concluded - 'People may believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our temple and our nation'.
Yes, their concern was genuine "If he goes on like this, everyone will go after him, and the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation" (Jn 11:48) - such a person may have great following, and would immediately pose a threat to the Roman authorities, which might lead to the destruction of the temple and the nation. Hence, 'it was safer that one person is sacrificed for the whole nation'. The logical conclusion of the high priest becomes a prophetic oracle, which leads to the sacrifice of Jesus - and the manner in which he went about it, became the norm for all who seek salvation - the path of self-suffering for liberation. The author of life is led to death, to bring about the path to abundant and endless life - I have come to give life; and life in abundance (Jn 10:10).
This sort of prioritisation might be happening in our daily individual lives, in neighbourhood communities, in national and international decision-making. Right may be easily substituted with convenience. I fear some such preoccupation is operating behind the anti-minority stance being taken by various governments of our country.
However, the incident was also prophetic in the sense that Jesus was proclaiming his own (power for) resurrection - if he could bring back Lazarus, dead and buried for four days, He was capable of coming back to life! His disciples and followers could believe in his resurrection thanks to the prophetic act of the resurrection of Lazarus, which happened just a week ago.
For us Christians, when we confront the issues of faith critically, it is tough to believe in matters like life after death and the resurrection of the dead. It is easy for us and for others to follow the great man Jesus, the perfect one, the compassionate, courageous and wise teacher; however, to proclaim him as God, as the author of life, is tough. The gospel is an invitation to proclaim that faith and be friends with him, as Mary exclaimed: If you were here, my brother would not have died (Jn 11:32); or as Martha proclaimed: 'But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (Jn 11:22); “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (Jn 11:27).
Lord, I believe in you - my leader and source of inspiration! I believe in you, the author of my life and the guarantor of eternal life. Help my unbelief!!
4. Cherishing the Gift of Water - World Water Day
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