MARCH MOMENTS NO 4

THE SISTERS MEET JESUS

What was it they said Lazarus, when they laid you to rest? What was it they said as they rolled that great stone into place and left you there in the dark privacy of the tomb? Rest in peace, was that it Lazarus? Rest in peace, is that what they said? Or was it that they did not greatly know what to say as they came away leaving you where you had left so many others yourself? Rest in peace anyway, Lazarus. Rest.

But who is this who comes now calling out your name? Who is this who comes disturbing your rest? Who is this who comes with tears on his cheeks, your sisters by his side? "I am going to wake him", he tells his friends as they set out for your place. "For your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe," he tells them. Who is he who speaks like this, Lazarus? Who is he who comes asking where you have been laid? Does he not know about death? If not, then he has much to learn, and must learn it soon. Or do those tears upon his cheeks mean that he has begun to learn? Has your going from this life begun at last to teach him the sad lesson we must all learn; that there is an end to everything and everyone? But if he has indeed begun to learn the hard lessons of life, why does he come so purposefully, asking about your grave, wanting to go there? Who is it that comes to you, Lazarus?

Who is this who comes, Martha, but comes too late? Had he come earlier, you tell him, Lazarus would not have died. Why do you say that Martha? Who is this that makes you say such things? And even now you trust. You call him the Christ the Son of God, why Martha? Do you know the meaning of the word you use? Your neighbours are none too sure. They too have heard, they too have seen, but they are none to sure all the same. You will not catch them making such an act of faith in him. "He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man's death?" Don't you agree Martha? Wasn't that why you and your sister sent that message " Lord, the man you love is ill". You did not even bother to add the request that he should come to help. Love would be enough, isn't that what you what you thought? But he delayed, he waited and now he is late. Why then this faith in Him, Martha?

Mary, will you tell? Who is this who comes, whose presence calls you from your quiet house, speeding to his side? "Lord", you call him and throw yourself at his feet. Why "Lord?" Why such devotion? Love, is that it? Is it love that makes you repeat your sisters' words, as if the very presence of him who comes so late would have been enough to sustain your brother in life?
Who are YOU who say such things:
"This illness will not end in death,but in God's glory,
and through it the Son of God will be glorified"?

Can you not hear what they say to you; "he is already four days dead, he will smell"? Don't you know anything about death? We hear what you say, that if we believe we will see the glory of God, but the grave has no glory. You must know that, for you are a man: like all men. You know that all must die. Often you have spoken of your own death? Who are you to have the stone rolled back? Who are you to call out his name? Who are you to un-rest the dead? You say you have been sent. Then who are you? Who are you who dare to come among those who would have your life just as surely as the grave now has that of Lazarus? Do you not fear? Do you not know that there will be a grave for you as there must be for all? Who are you to make the dead walk free?

"I am the resurrection and the life.
If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,and who ever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?"
Ah! Yet another question and this time one we must answer.