Meditate on God’s Word

Raising from Death to Life

In today’s Gospel we encounter the great mystery of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This apparent death of Lazarus was not in vain for Jesus says it occurred so “that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus instructs the crowd to “unbind him, and let him go”.

This “unbinding” signifies that Jesus doesn’t just raise him from the dead but also sets him free. So too, through God’s great gift of forgiveness, He raises us from the death of sin and leads us to
interior freedom. This Lent, let us seek God’s forgiveness by availing ourselves to the sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter. The Catechism says that “the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true "spiritual resurrection," restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God” (CCC 1468).

Moreover, after Lazarus was freed it says that many people believed in Jesus. Likewise, after we receive God’s forgiveness and live in freedom and friendship with God, we should be true stewards of God’s gifts and evangelize those around us. Through the grace of the sacrament we will have the necessary strength to offer our time and talents to our parish community. So this Lent let us not remain in the death of sin but turn to Jesus and receive the life and freedom of forgiveness.

Summary

Just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He raises us from the death of sin and leads us to interior freedom through His forgiveness. This Lent, let us seek God’s forgiveness by availing ourselves to the sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter. Through the grace of the sacrament we will have the necessary strength and grace to offer our time and talents to our parish community.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship