Sunday, March 22nd

Scripture

Ez 37: 12-14
Ps 130: 1-8
Rom 8: 8-11
John 11: 1-45

Reflection

“Master, if You had been here, my brother
would not have died.” John 11:21

The Gospel story of Lazarus’s death challenges me. Jesus delayed, knowing that his dear friend had died. Really? Many of us get sad news and take action. Not Jesus, in this case; he waited for days for his own reasons. What a reminder to trust that moments of grace will not always come immediately, microwave-style, but often marinade and cook in slow cooker crock pots! Teilhard de Chardin’s advice applies to many scenarios: “Trust in the slow work of God.”

So, what helps us trust patiently? Often, it’s working and praying together in community. Jesus didn’t roll away the stone himself but invited the community to “take away the stone.” Many of us have lived long enough to learn that we have greater impact when we work together to remove whatever entombs life. Regrettably, these days there are multiple examples of life being entombed by unjust economic systems, institutional corruption, and feelings of powerlessness and overwhelm.

Prayer

God of Life, help us trust your life already stirring.
Give us wisdom and courage to identify
and roll away the stones that entomb life.
Remind us that we are not alone, but in community acting to cocreate
new life for our church, country, world, and planet.

Personal Challenge

To remember and be patient as together we
“trust in the slow work of God.”

Mary Jo Hazard, CSJ Associate
Naperville, IL