Homily , March 22, 2026
From The Pastor
We are well into the second half of Lent. Themes of life after death rise to the surface. More than themes of the past coming off the pages of scripture, seeking new life after death is a universal and timeless itch in the human heart. Every human being engaged and invested in life and love knows there will be losses, hurts, disappointments, and any number of ‘little deaths’ throughout life. Love is a suffering of self-giving for the betterment and grace of another person or circumstance of human need.
In a developmental form, themes of life after death are evident throughout the Old Testament. In 597 B.C., Ezekiel was among those deported to Babylon as the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. As a Temple priest turned prophet, Ezekiel served as a voice of hope from the Lord for the scattered and discouraged exiles. They felt dead inside, abandoned and rejected by God, feeling the guilt of their sins. Knowing God would not abandon his people, Ezekiel is given a word of hope to revive those dead in spirit. ‘Oh my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them and bring you back to the land of Israel. ‘…I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land, thus you will know that I am your Lord.’ God forgives their sin, revives them with his own Spirit, and restores them to their homeland.
Remember that Israel is a metaphor for all nations and peoples. This word of hope is not only for Israel, but for all humanity, all nations, and all those seeking fullness of life with God in the eternal homeland of heaven.
The gospel presents a different, but nonetheless critical dilemma, in this case for Jesus. The air is thick with tension of growing jealousy and hate as more people are putting their faith in Jesus. The Temple authorities are ramping up their efforts to silence Jesus and do away with him. Jesus knows his time is coming near.
Jesus must have been filled with deep emotions as he began to perceive the course of events to come. On the one hand, Jesus is feeling deep love for his disciples and the friendship he has with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. On the other hand, Jesus must prepare himself for the suffering to come that will bring to fruition the meaning and purpose of his life. He is grasped by the truth of love that is his deepest identity, meaning, and purpose knowing it will culminate in his death.
Facing these inner struggles, Jesus is told of the death of Lazarus. The death of Lazarus is a pivotal turning point in the life of Jesus and for all those who would believe in him. The death of Lazarus cues Jesus to his own death. This event sharpens Jesus to the will of the Father and the glory of God that will be revealed. At this point, we can believe that Jesus is in full awareness of his union with the Father that secures his trust in life after death.
This explains why Jesus delays an immediate return knowing of the death of Lazarus. Jesus uses the moment to deepen the call to faith in the power of God within himself as Lord and Christ to give new life. The words of Jesus are directed to Lazarus but are also meant for himself. “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God.” Further, Jesus says, “Lazarus has died, and I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe.”
The call to faith sharpens. Jesus arrives; Martha meets him and bemoans his delay. “If you had been here my brother would not have died.” This exchange is for all believers. It was written as much for us as it was spoken to Martha. To the heart of it, Jesus acclaims: “I am the Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” That is the question. Do you believe this? Are we living in the love of Christ mindful that we are headed to heaven?
Why did Jesus weep? For sorrow and love for his friend. For the reality and necessity of death. Jesus also wept that, so few understood or believed in his true identity as one sent by the Father who was the Son of God. This was the tension of the human heart and the divine heart of Jesus. A deep pain for most humans is not to be understood or believed in. The divine heart of Jesus carried him through because the Father knew and understood and believed in all Jesus was doing and why.
The closing scene closes the gap between heaven and earth. With direct clarity, Jesus says “Take away the stone.” Break the chain of death. He cries out, “Lazarus come out!” The dead man came out.
“Unbind him and let him go free.”
These words are for every human being. Take them to heart. With joyful hope and evident trust, prepare for Holy Week.
Father John Esper
Recent Sermons
Homily, May 10, 2026
May 10, 2026
Homily , May 3, 2026
May 03, 2026
Homily, April 26, 2026
April 26, 2026