St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

As we approach Holy Week and the final days of Lent, we hear the well-known story of Lazarus, the brother of Martha,  and many whom Jesus rises from the dead. John’s account of this miracle is one of the most dramatic accounts in any of the Gospels. We can only imagine the emotions going through Martha and Mary and their loved ones when Jesus stands at the tomb and cries, “Lazarus, come out.” May we hear Jesus calling us to come out of our tombs of sin and death and embrace new life in resurrection.

Often Jesus requires that those he heals participate in some way in their recovery. Last week, we heard Jesus heal the blind man by applying clay to his eyes. But then he instructed the man still blind, to make it to the pool of Siloam to wash his eyes. Today, Lazarus, tied hand and foot with burial clothes after being dead for four days, is ordered to walk out of the tomb. He then orders onlookers to untie Lazarus. These miracles are not passive operations. Today, when we encounter those who are blind out of ignorance or self-centeredness, or when we recognize those who are entombed by addiction or hardships, Jesus orders us to help free them from the bonds that blind them.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob