In our first reading today from Ezekiel, the prophet recounts his experience of a vision. In this vision, he sees a field of bones. Here, nothing is stirring; only death is present, the bones dry and lifeless and strewn in every direction. God speaks to Ezekiel and asks him, “Son of Man, can these bones live?” To which Ezekiel responds, “you alone know that”. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones, telling them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord, “listen I will make breath enter you so you may come to life. Then you shall know that I am the Lord””. Having said as the Lord had instructed him, Ezekiel hears great rattling; like thunder. The bones began to come together. Sinews appeared which became covered in flesh. And then the flesh in turn was covered with skin, but still there was no life. Prophesy God tells Ezekiel, “Come O breath and breathe life into those slain.” And with that a vast army stands up returning to life. God explains the vision to Ezekiel telling him the bones are the whole house of Israel; there is no hope, for the bones are all dried up and lifeless. But then God promises as we read, “you will rise from your open graves, and MY spirit I will be put in you that you may live and settle on your land and thus you will know that I am the Lord.” This vision has a powerful message, one where the Spirit restores life and gives hope. For even dry and lifeless bones are subject to the sovereignty of God and to the work of the Spirit.
And it is the great sovereignty of God that we witness in the Gospel reading. Jesus’s delay in responding to the request to come to Bethany meant that Lazarus would have been entombed for four days. In Jesus’ day it was believed that the soul of a dead person would linger with the body for three days before finally accepting that there was no possible return to the body; this as flesh would begin to decompose. Four days in the tomb would make clear to everyone that Lazarus' soul was no longer present – he was dead, all life was gone. Yet this sad event would glorify God, and by this the Son of God would also be glorified, as Jesus had told his disciples. Jesus states that he was glad not to have been with Lazarus because soon his disciples would witness something that would strengthen their faith, something to help them to see clearly who he was. This he declares clearly to Martha, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” But even with that said, Martha would note the stench of the body as Jesus orders the stone used to seal the tomb to be taken away. Jesus would remind Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”
The raising of Lazarus is a pivotal moment in salvation history. Here we see the power and the glory of our God. We witness the strengthening of faith in the disciples and those who would witness this awe-inspiring event; life returning where there was death. But this moment is also the one that finally convinces the Chief Priests and Pharisees that Jesus should be killed and with that, the final chapter of Jesus’ earthly life begins.
As we consider this Gospel reading, we are reminded of the eternal life promised to each of us by way of Christ’s death and resurrection. We are reminded that beyond death our spirit continues in life. And with the return of Christ our bones will be reacquainted one with another, sinews will be covered by flesh and then with skin. And the spirit that is breathed into us will awaken our bodies as Ezekiel saw in his vision. Paul tells us, “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you.”
As we approach Holy Week, we do so with the insight and knowledge that the one who is to be crucified is the one with power over life and death. He has the power to put it down and the power to take it up once more. A time will come when each of us hears those words, “come out”, and we will. But are you ready? Am I ready to hear them? Are we ready to see the Lord with our own eyes as the unbound Lazarus was able to see Him once again? If the answer is yes, then how can you and I best prepare to make that meeting more joyful and complete. And if the answer is no, then what needs to change? In these last few days of Lent, we take time to examine our hearts, our consciences, our motivations, our faults and failings. We prepare to meet the Lord of Life by making a good confession. We trust in Jesus’s power to restore hope, to strengthen believe, and to save, especially when all appears irredeemable and lost – just a pile of dry and lifeless bones. We go to Jesus knowing that the Spirit that raised Christ will also give life to us. By these, our acts of faith and belief, we will gain life and will bring glory to our God. Amen.
Deacon Peter Bujwid
St. Camillus Church, Arlington, MA.
