5th Sunday of Lent – March 29, 2020 Christ the King Parish - Skowhegan, Madison, Bingham Homily by Fr. James L. Nadeau
I have had the chance to visit Bethany twice and to visit the tomb of Lazarus. Today, of all the details in the Gospel, let me just focus on one – the Tomb – and what possible meaning Lazarus’ tomb holds for us.
Jesus arrives at the Tomb – the prison from which Lazarus will be freed. Notice the stone in front of the cave and the stench of the body (after a 4 day wait). All indicate there was no opportunity for deception. Lazarus was REALLY DEAD! The stench highlights how miraculous this resurrection was. For Lazarus could not be merely healed; He had to be raised to life – NEW LIFE!
They took the stone away from the mouth of the tomb. The whole crowd marveled – witnessing the smell of Lazarus who was decayed – after 4 days in the hot, humid temperatures. They were unable to approach because of the smell and its decay.
But . . . then came Jesus. The Storehouse of Life approaches the tomb of death. JESUS’ PRAYERknocks on the doors of hell demanding the release of Lazarus.
Jesus calls his friend by name; had he not called him by name, the great power of Jesus would have summoned all those in their graves!
Lazarus comes wrapped.
Now, this is where the Gospel passage holds meaning for us:
As Lazarus is bid to come forth, so also are those with a guilty conscience. Wrapped like a mummy, the unbinding of the linens that bound Lazarus parallels our being unbound from the deadness of sin, as the church and her priests are charged with the task of unloosing sinners from their sins.
There are many trapped in their own tombs until released by the words of Jesus. Come out from the hiding of our sin. For when we confess, we come forth.
Look at Lazarus.He came out all tied up!
Matthew 18:18, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The church does what the Lord said, “Unbind him and let him go.”