The readings of this Sunday present one of the most powerful themes in the Christian faith: God brings life out of death. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises His people, “I will open your graves and bring you back to life.” This promise finds its fullest expression in the Gospel when Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the tomb.
At first, the story surprises us. When Jesus hears that Lazarus is seriously ill, He does not rush immediately to Bethany. Instead, He waits two more days. By the time He arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days. For Martha and Mary, this delay must have been painful and confusing. Martha even says to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Many of us have felt something similar at difficult moments in life, wondering why God seems silent or distant.
Yet the delay had a deeper purpose. Jesus wanted to reveal something greater: that God’s glory can be revealed even in situations that seem completely hopeless. Standing before the tomb, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Life is not only a promise for the future; it is a gift that begins now through our relationship with Christ.
Before calling Lazarus out of the tomb, the Gospel tells us that Jesus wept. This simple moment reveals the compassionate heart of God. Jesus is not indifferent to human suffering. He shares our grief and walks with us through our struggles.
Then comes the dramatic moment when Jesus calls out, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man emerges, still wrapped in burial cloths. Jesus then tells the people standing around, “Unbind him and let him go.” In this way, the miracle becomes a shared mission. Jesus restores life, but the community helps remove the bonds.
This message connects beautifully with Solidarity Sunday and the work of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada. Around the world, many people remain trapped in the “tombs” of poverty, injustice, hunger, and displacement. Through our prayers, generosity, and commitment to justice, we help remove the stones that trap our brothers and sisters in suffering.
Lent invites us to believe that God can still open tombs—within our hearts and in our world. As we journey toward Easter, may we allow Christ to renew our faith and inspire us to bring hope, compassion, and solidarity to others.
