Lent 5 Yr A
Raising the dead

Van Leyden, Aertgen. Raising of Lazarus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=46232 [retrieved March 8, 2023]. 

Published date 3/21/2023

Introduction

Our lessons begin with the wonderful story of Ezekiel’s dream of the Valley of Dry Bones. In his dream, Ezekiel hears God tell him that, with God, there is nothing that cannot be done, including returning dry bones to life. Hold onto that tidbit, while we look at the remaining scripture.

The psalmist reminds us that we must wait for the Lord to complete his task. In essence, God's time is not our time, so be patient.

The epistle tells what "life" is. Life is more than breath and pulse. Importantly, it is the Spirit of God within each of us. 

John’s gospel is the only gospel to tell the story of Lazarus of Bethany. Upon learning that Lazarus was sick, Jesus chose to delay going to Lazarus’ side so God’s glory could be shown in him. 

And what was God’s glory (putting the scripture together)? The same that had been told in the Valley of Dry Bones: there is nothing that our God cannot do, including bringing the dead back to life. The great comfort here is, since we are not dead, God can work miracles in us too. Further, it will be in God's time. Take a few minutes to read the reflection “Lazarus who?” for more about making “these dry bones live”.

BE ALIVE, BELOVED OF GOD! Comments welcome.

John 11:1-45

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, . . . was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, . . ..” Accordingly, . . . he [Jesus] stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “. . . Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” . . . When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. . . . When Jesus saw her [Mary] weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. . . . Jesus began to weep. . . . Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. . . . Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” . . . “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” . . .  he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

sermons4kids: “We all cry, and I am glad that we have a Savior who weeps too. I am glad that He loves us so much that He hurts when we are hurting. He feels our pain.”

Scripture: March 25, 2023—Ezekiel 37:1-14 (image); Psalm 130 (image); Romans 8:6-11 (image); and John 11:1-45 (image). A visual/audio journey.

Collect: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: Why did Jesus weep in John 11:35? Was it out of compassion for Mary and Martha? Out of love for his friend Lazarus? Out of frustration with the people’s lack of understanding or faith? Think about someone in your life who is grieving. Find a way to extend to that person the grace and peace of Christ.


excerpt from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press.

Preparing for Lent: It's almost time to give your "bag of things” away. Each day of Lent, find something that you no longer use and put it in the bag. Then during Holy week, give your bag of things to a local charity. And for the 2nd activity, participate in Lent Madness (Facebook page) or website. Lent Madness is a fun way to learn about the saints of our church. Each day you select one of two saints who you believe is more “worthy” to be a saint. Near Palm Sunday, one of the selected saints will earn the “golden halo”. And “you helped”!

Ear Worm: “Song of the Body of Christ” by David Haas, a lovely communion hymn (in the style of Taize), repetitive and reflective; “O Christ you wept” by John Bell, from a collection of song intended to aid in grieving; “Dem dry bones“, sung by Delta Rhythm Boys, clear spiritual feel (see "Hymn Notes" below).

Eye Candy: “Jesus raises Lazarus to life” (1973), from Jesus Mafa, astonishment and happiness; “Raising Lazarus” (1310-1311), by di Buoninsegna Duccio, easy to identify Martha & Mary; “You shall live” (1534), artist Lucas Cranach, an interpretation of Ezekiel's dream.

Brain Food: “Just like that” by Neil Chappell, looking at the Lazarus story through the eyes of a comedian; commentary “The Lazarus Blessing“, reflection, poem, and art by Jan Richardson. "we have a choice to make"; “Lazarus who?” by Christopher Burkett, "Can these bones live?"

Parables: “Ezekiel’s Vision of the Dry Bones, an interesting YouTube presentation; "This is where I leave you" (2014), four siblings examine selves and life forward following the death of their father (star-studded cast); "Fatherhood" (2021) from Netflix, man learns how to be a single parent; "Someone Great" (2019), story of friends banding together to help each other move forward, for mature audiences; "A Beautiful Mind" (2001), transfiguration of John; "The Hurricane" (1999), about hope; "The Bone Collector" (2000), a captivating detective story but hard to watch

Hymn Notes: "Dem dry bones", spiritual written by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) or his brother J. Rosomond Johnson (1873-1954) and based on the text from Ezekiel. It is unique in describing how each bone is connected to the other. A number of performances were recorded in the early 1900s.

Excerpted from Making multicultural music website.

Some eye-candy:

Brain food:

Movies


Ear Worms:


For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snack; kid video

For children: See family guide/activities above (another activity), bulletin; craft

For middlers: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; craft 

Coloring: Jesus raises Lazarus; John 4

For youth: Examine what it means for Jesus to call Lazarus from his grave and then command the crowd to “Unbind him, and let him go.” What does it mean for us to be unbound by Jesus? How can we share this freedom with others—whether in a silly retelling of an amazing story or in deep conversation with a hurting friend?

Excerpted from So It Is website.

If you wish, share your thoughts.

FOR YOUNGER CHILD:

FOR OLDER CHILD:


The story of the raising of Lazarus is the final one of the Lenten gospels that opens the minds of the baptismal candidates to the meaning of baptism (and it reminds us of the resurrection life we have already received by water and the Holy Spirit). We hear in this story the growing awareness of the disciples of Jesus as the Christ and as the source of resurrection and life.

The Old Testament reading looks forward to resurrection as the final conclusion of God’s plan of salvation. In the prophet’s vision of the valley of dry bones, note that it is God’s Word who raises them up, and God’s Spirit who gives them flesh and life. So it is with us who are baptized. Christ, the Word of God, and God’s Spirit have given us a share in the resurrection life of God’s Kingdom.

The second reading contrasts those who live in the flesh, that is, the unredeemed world, with those who live in the Spirit of Christ. All baptized persons live in that Spirit and, says Paul, God gives life to our mortal bodies through the Spirit.

The resurrection of Christ becomes our resurrection as we engage in the Eucharistic feast and meet the one who is the Resurrection and the Life.


From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.