Scripture
“Untie him and let him go.”
John 11:44
Reflection
Of all the Gospel stories, the raising of Lazarus is perhaps one of the most dramatic. It is layered in meaning and filled with small details which tell us so much about Jesus and about how to live the Christian life.
For our reflection on this Sunday in Lent perhaps we could look at the simple words: “Untie him and let him go”. In some translations: “Unbind him and let him go home”.
Jesus does not unbind Lazarus, he turns to the community gathered and tells them to do the “unbinding.” The followers are given the call to free Lazarus. If we place ourselves in the crowd of followers…some may just have been curious onlookers …some were his beloved disciples and friends…all were given the invitation to free Lazarus. How would you respond to this invitation? I know I may have wanted to get an important text and slip away.
As this story has traveled down the ages, the message is still relevant. We can only be healed, helped, and unbound by others. We don’t do it all by ourselves. Jesus turns his beloved friend over to the community and gives them the mission to free Lazarus. This is a deeply intimate invitation – to entrust ourselves to another for healing, for freeing. This is a daunting responsibility to walk with another in the process of healing or freeing.
Practice
Today during this vulnerable time of need and upheaval, let us contemplate this call to being freed and freeing others.
God give us the humility to ask for help from others and give us the compassion and courage to reach out to those in great need.
Sr. Joan Scanlon OP, Coordinator of Dominican Ministries