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By Erika Nuñez Santillan
The resurrection of Lazarus is one of the most spectacular of Jesus’ earthly miracles, which also shows us how Jesus responds to the troubles of the ones he loves.
Martha and Mary sent a very short message to Jesus: ‘Lord, the one you love is ill.’ No demands were made of Jesus; a need was stated, and nothing more. This speaks to both the faith and humility of Lazarus’ sisters.
When Jesus heard the news, He stayed where he was. He did not rush to Lazarus’ rescue. He purposefully waited two days. Although the gospel tells us, ‘Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus’, this doesn’t seem very loving. Of course, the sisters would have wished that he had arrived much earlier, four days earlier, so that Lazarus would not have died at all, but only faith allows us to see beyond circumstances and trust in the supernatural power of our Lord.
Jesus allows things to go from bad to worse and to become bad beyond repair. When the world Jesus loves unravels, God’s glory is be revealed
Lazarus’ resurrection serves as a catalyst, ultimately contributing to the decision of Jewish authorities to seek Jesus’s death, a triggering event that leads to Jesus’s harrowing crucifixion and death; yet it anticipates his own resurrection for the glory of God.
When Jesus dies on the cross, He takes our sins and guilt, He takes the judgment, He enters hell for us so we could have a chance for eternity. He gives of Himself so that we who remain on earth may come to understand that God’s will prevails, even when our circumstances are devastating.
The understanding that God can use even the most difficult trials for His glory was one of the most touching realizations through my re-evangelization journey. This gospel brought me back to those times of reassurance in my life and encourages me to navigate deeply my “post re-evangelization” relationship with Jesus.
This year’s Renew Lent reflections are offered by participants in the Archdiocese of Regina’s Lay Formation Program, a journey of faith, prayer, and leadership development for parish ministry. Our next intake begins in Fall 2027. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact Deacon Eric Gurash at [email protected] or 306-721-6724.
