Ez 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
Today’s readings deal with two kinds of resurrection. The first one is the resurrection of the body which is about reviving human life. Lazarus died and was in the tomb for four days already. Deeply saddened by the death of his close friend, Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father and raised Lazarus from the dead. Many of those who witnessed this miraculous event came to have faith in Jesus. Today, we believe that at the end of time, Jesus will do to us what he did to Lazarus. The Lord will bring our dead mortal bodies back to life to share eternal bliss with him.
Aside from the resurrection of the body, there is also the resurrection of the heart which is about restoring hope. In the first reading Yahweh told the people of Israel: “I am now going to raise you from your graves and lead you back to the land of Israel.” For many years the Israelites were put captives in Babylon, where they experienced too much humiliation, hardships and sufferings. Yahweh pitied his people because they were morally downed and emotionally shattered. They were good as dead. Accordingly, Yahweh promised to send His Spirit to the people of Israel to give them hope and to help them regain their land. Today, we also believe that Yahweh is our hope and our strength. Whenever we are sad and discouraged, God will come to inspire and rescue us.
Today, therefore, we are reminded that we can be dead even before we die. In the second reading, Saint Paul says that the body may be dead because of sin. For committing a mortal sin, a person may lose the supernatural grace that he or she received in baptism. However, many of us would appear dead because of pain and sorrow caused by serious misfortunes, sickness, injustice, infidelity, or poverty. Indeed, great sufferings may make people lose the will the live.
The good news for all believers is that we have someone to go whenever we are lost, to lean on whenever we are tired, to give us strength whenever we are sick, to console us whenever we are depressed, and to inspire us whenever we are discouraged. That someone is Jesus Christ, the full revelation of God’s love.
Here is an inspiring poem from an unknown author:
Today I got a burden,
And I felt that I should pray,
For God’s spirit seemed to tell me,
That you needed prayer today.
I don’t know just what that problem is,
But I sure do know the cure;
And if you'll only let Him,
God will keep you safe and secure.
In life there’s always problems;
Cropping up to spoil our day;
But my friend you know the answer,
All you have to do is pray.
If you still feel you’re defeated,
And you want to run and hide,
Just reach out, and I’ll be there,
Right there by your side.
Remember, whisper “Jesus”,
For He is just a prayer away,
He’s so close that you can touch Him,
All you have to do is pray.
Today’s readings deal with two kinds of resurrection. The first one is the resurrection of the body which is about reviving human life. Lazarus died and was in the tomb for four days already. Deeply saddened by the death of his close friend, Jesus prayed to his Heavenly Father and raised Lazarus from the dead. Many of those who witnessed this miraculous event came to have faith in Jesus. Today, we believe that at the end of time, Jesus will do to us what he did to Lazarus. The Lord will bring our dead mortal bodies back to life to share eternal bliss with him.
Aside from the resurrection of the body, there is also the resurrection of the heart which is about restoring hope. In the first reading Yahweh told the people of Israel: “I am now going to raise you from your graves and lead you back to the land of Israel.” For many years the Israelites were put captives in Babylon, where they experienced too much humiliation, hardships and sufferings. Yahweh pitied his people because they were morally downed and emotionally shattered. They were good as dead. Accordingly, Yahweh promised to send His Spirit to the people of Israel to give them hope and to help them regain their land. Today, we also believe that Yahweh is our hope and our strength. Whenever we are sad and discouraged, God will come to inspire and rescue us.
Today, therefore, we are reminded that we can be dead even before we die. In the second reading, Saint Paul says that the body may be dead because of sin. For committing a mortal sin, a person may lose the supernatural grace that he or she received in baptism. However, many of us would appear dead because of pain and sorrow caused by serious misfortunes, sickness, injustice, infidelity, or poverty. Indeed, great sufferings may make people lose the will the live.
The good news for all believers is that we have someone to go whenever we are lost, to lean on whenever we are tired, to give us strength whenever we are sick, to console us whenever we are depressed, and to inspire us whenever we are discouraged. That someone is Jesus Christ, the full revelation of God’s love.
Here is an inspiring poem from an unknown author:
Today I got a burden,
And I felt that I should pray,
For God’s spirit seemed to tell me,
That you needed prayer today.
I don’t know just what that problem is,
But I sure do know the cure;
And if you'll only let Him,
God will keep you safe and secure.
In life there’s always problems;
Cropping up to spoil our day;
But my friend you know the answer,
All you have to do is pray.
If you still feel you’re defeated,
And you want to run and hide,
Just reach out, and I’ll be there,
Right there by your side.
Remember, whisper “Jesus”,
For He is just a prayer away,
He’s so close that you can touch Him,
All you have to do is pray.
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