2005 Reflections - The "Raising of Lazarus" Illumination and Scripture passage

First Reading

Ezekiel 37:12-14 "I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel."

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 130:1-8 "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord".

Second Reading

Rom 8:8-11 "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also through his Spirit dwelling in you."

Gospel

John 11:1-45 "Raising of Lazarus"

Overview

Liturgically, the raising of Lazarus foreshadows Christ's resurrection in glory as well as our own.

Cycle A features the oldest series of readings in the Church.  Ezekiel speaks of redemption and salvation in terms of the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon. Psalm 130 reminds us that suffering and deliverance from it can also have a spiritual and religious connection. Paul reaffirms hope in our resurrection through Christ.  Jesus' raising of Lazarus is the last miracle he performs during his earthly ministry, and as his last miracle, it prefigures his own resurrection. It is important to remember that Lazarus is only brought back from the dead and will die again. Jesus, however, rises in glory never to die again, and holds out the same promise to us.

Find a quiet and comfortable place.  Light a candle and ready yourself to slowly and deliberately read the Gospel, John 11: 1-45, "Raising of Lazarus."

Some Thoughts on the Reading

This Gospel passage has the shortest verse in the Bible (vs. 35), "And Jesus wept".  Martha is full of both faith and anger when she questions Jesus.  The people who love Jesus are criticizing him.  We can think of hospital situations where people rail against God for the suffering they are undergoing.  Why does God allow this to happen?  Martha is asking the same type of question. 

It is clear at the end of this story that the people can choose to believe or not to believe.  There are those who see and believe; and there are others who so not.  Even when seeing such a magnificent act of glory there must be faith to believe in it.

How would you visually represent the Raising of Lazarus?

From what perspective would you choose to work?

What elements of the passage come to mind?

Which specific lines speak to you?

How would you weave a contemporary experience into your art?

Before viewing the "Raising of Lazarus" artwork from The Saint John's Bible, take some time to consider what you would do with this passage.  Make a simple drawing or write some notes about what you would do.  Consider completing your own full artwork to accompany the passage.  If you wish to share, share your interpretation with another person.  Invite someone else to do the same.

Artwork from the Bible

Click this link to view the Raising of Lazarus.

By superimposing the “I am” saying on the image, clearly the focus is on Jesus’ power and authority over life. The figure of Lazarus is small and indistinct in contrast. Gold and black are the dominant colors, black signifying death, and gold, as elsewhere in the Bible, God’s presence. The entire scene is a contrast between powers of darkness and powers of light. The white light of the tunnel from which Lazarus emerges recalls the stories of people who describe their near death experiences. The figure of Lazarus appears in the white light of truth, the light in which the viewer must make a decision of faith. (Susan Wood, Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, Professor/Associate Dean, School of Theology, Saint John's University)

Other Genres of this Artwork

How is the raising of Lazarus portrayed in some of the movies such as "King of Kings," "The Greatest Story Ever Told," and "Jesus of Nazareth"? How is the depiction in the Saint John's Bible the same or different?

Some Things to Do

• Take the initiative to restore a broken relationship
• Do something to reach out to someone who has been socially ostracized
• Make a pilgrimage, as much as possible on foot, to a cemetery and read Sunday's Gospel at the graves of loved ones. Revisit the graves and read one of the Gospel resurrection passages.

Except where credited, reflection written by Father Michael Patella, Order of Saint Benedict, Associate Professor, School of Theology, Saint John's University. 

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