Gospel of John, chapter 11:26

When Jesus heard that His friend, Lazarus had passed away, He visited the home of Lazarus to console Martha and Mary over the death of their brother. Naturally, the sisters were upset, but Martha was the most upset because her faith was weak.

During the conversation with Martha over her brother’s death, Jesus assures her that we are already connected to resurrection and life: “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in Me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in Me will never die.” The resurrection, therefore, is not something that happens only after life; it is something that occurs again and again as part of life. Lazarus who is eventually raised from the dead, is presented as the type of all of us who receive new life through Jesus.

The theme of life sums up the message of today’s scripture. As human beings, we are meant for life not death: “Whoever is alive and believes in Me will never die.” Life is our cherished goal–life confined by no horizon, and unclouded by no fear. Jesus offers such life to us; and He helps us to navigate that life’s course by His teaching and example.

The problem with many Christians today is that they view the resurrection as something that happens after they die. This is true, but it is not the full truth. The resurrection is also something that happens now; it happens when we experience the new life of the gospel by the way we live; by the way we overcome sin and the powers of the evil one; by the way our lives can be changed and renewed through the example of Christ.

Martha missed this message of the resurrection.

That is why Jesus says: “whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Resurrection * * *