26/03/2023

The psalmist is calling out to God for all of the living and the dead. We the living are feeling the loneliness, which knowing that we are miniscule and helpless in the vastness of our Universe, sometimes paralyses our consciousness of being. The dead know that they have no more chances to serve our Father in righteousness  and those who are accepted into Eternal Life know that all thanks and praise are due to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Paul teaches that in our lives we should be devoted to spiritual matters. We should always be focused on God; Father who creates new life in Son; Jesus who obeys until death; Holy Spirit who is the living God in our lives at this moment of life. 

Today's Gospel makes it clear that the mystery of three persons in one God is part of the New Testament revelations. St John's drama is played out like a film script complete with voiceovers and flashbacks so that the audience is not left alone to try to make sense of the narrative.

Jesus has an, at first, enigmatical reaction to the news of Lazarus illness but after delaying for two days he confirms that Lazarus is dead and his death will become an irrefutable confirmation of Jesus' Sonship. One disciple encourages the others to go with him to Bethany and is ready to face death together with Jesus.

Before the final scene outside the tomb Jesus tells his friends,and us, exactly who he is in relation to God and to us. There is no room for quibbles "IAMIAM the resurrection and the life!  " I thank you Father". That is all we need to know on earth but out of the host of witnesses there, only Martha and Mary stayed with John and Our Lady to the bitter end on Calvary.

Dear Lord, may all the prayers that are part of our lives today be heard with the grace that will enable us to overcome the snares of temptation found in the smothering of consciousness that is the empty  plausibility of the material world . May Mary's prayers to seek out the lonely, bereaved and damaged of this world that they become aware of the Loving Mercy that is freely available to those who use the freedom that is part of our human nature created by you our Father in heaven be heard and bring comfort to all thy people.