Essentials to Christian Life!

 

In 2010, Sue, one of my beloved aunts, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A week after seeing her doctor and receiving the news, some of her relatives, me included, decided to visit her. Before the visit, we texted and phoned each other with a message to brace ourselves for the worst.  

 

When the day came to visit her, we gathered in the living room.  Aunt Sue took a few minutes before she joined us.  While waiting, we were looking at each other and thinking the same thing. Will she lock herself in her room? Is she going to wallow in self-pity? Is she angry? Disappointed?  To our surprise, it was the opposite. She came out so bubbly. She said, “Are you surprised? Look guys. I know it’s not good news, but I can’t just lock myself in the room. There is more to cancer. Getting sick is a reality of life, and life must go on.  How can I experience the beauty and meaning of life if I lock myself in that room?  You are all here with me. You are here to support and pray for me. What else can I ask for? You give me hope.” I was shocked. I asked myself, where is she getting her positive outlook? She lived for a few more years.  Yes, those years were filled with tears, but also with faith, hope and love.  

 

I shared my aunt’s story because there are three important lessons to learn from her life that I believe are essential to Christian faith.  Lessons that are present in our Gospel story today.  

 

The first is God’s gracious call. 

The second is our response to God’s gracious call. 

The third is participation in the community. 

 

God’s gracious call. We hear today that Jesus dramatically calls Lazarus out of the tomb “Lazarus come out!” He calls Lazarus from the darkness of the tomb into light.  He calls Lazarus from death back to life. God is calling us every day from whatever might entomb us. Whatever it is, God says, “come out!” Come out from addiction. Come out from anxiety. Come out from hopelessness. Come out from drudgery. Come out from depression. Come out from anything that makes you feel unworthy. Come out from whatever takes away your dignity or ruins your life. Come out from anything that inhibits you from seeing yourself as God’s beloved.  Come out to new life, light, to a new way of being. I wonder what self-imposed tomb God is calling you out of today. 

 

Our willing response. In the gospel, we hear that wonderful example of Jesus calling Lazarus forth. John tells us that Lazarus was dead – for four days!  I mean inarguably dead.  Yet, Lazarus responded willingly to God’s grace-filled call. How about us? When you hear God calling you from the tomb, how do you respond? How willing are you to take that call and that initial step to change.  

 

Fortunately, we don’t have to do it alone. The second reading today reminds us of the presence of the Spirit in us. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit that is bubbling in us. It is that same Spirit that will guide us and give us the strength to “come out” and make that change.  Our willingness and the Spirit will make the change possible. 

 

Community. We heard how Jesus called Lazarus back to life. First, Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”   Someone had to take it away for Lazarus to see the light.  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  He could have easily said, “Bandages be gone!” But Jesus realized the importance of community.   As Lazarus came out of the tomb, he was bound hand and foot. Jesus looked around at the people and said, “Untie him and let him go.”  The crowd that was present was involved; they helped.  

 

In our lives, we know people who are coming out of their self-imposed tombs. As they come out, they need help, they need our support, they need our encouragement. They can’t do it alone.  A perfect example today – these elect.  They are living examples of coming out from the “tomb.” After hearing God’s call, discerning, and responding, they need our help. They need everyone to encourage them and to show them how to be a follower of Christ. In Christian life, we can’t do it on our own. We need each other’s help, support, and encouragement.  

 

Three elements necessary for Christian life are God’s grace-filled call, our willing response, and participation in the life of community. These are the ways we move towards the great feast of Easter. These are the paths to sainthood; these are the paths to holiness.  

 

As we move into this last full week of Lent and before we enter the week we call holy, spend some time to reflect what tomb God is calling you out of? How willing are you to respond? And how can we as a community support and help you in your quest for holiness.