INTO THE LIGHT

Fifth Sunday of Lent

John 11:25

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live…”

This is something obvious. Close your eyes and all you see is darkness – pure and unadulterated one. You cannot see anything as darkness completely envelops your world, your whole being. You can continue to be left behind in that darkness, or you can just simply open your eyes, and experience again the light of the world.

In our lives, we do not just experience physical darkness, but spiritual darkness as well. When we sin - when we ignore our loved ones, when we ignore the will of God, when we ignore ourselves – we experience darkness in our hearts. Our spirit just fails to function and becomes totally detached from the Lord. We begin experiencing fears – fears of the unknown, fears of being caught – fears that only darkness in our hearts can bring.

However, we must enter these periods of darkness and silence with hope and an expectant spirit. God is the artist and crafter of all we are and God knows what is needed for our growth. Let Him guide us through these periods of darkness until the eyes of our hearts are ready to see the light again.

When Lazarus came back into life, it was one great miracle performed by Jesus. His sisters do believe in life after death, so when Jesus advised them that Lazarus will live, they firmly believed Him, knowing that we will live again in the afterlife. Didn’t they know that what Jesus meant was Lazarus will live again, physically and spiritually. In that brief, shining moment, Jesus showed that He is God, the resurrection and life. Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what He had done began to believe in Him.

Jesus is the resurrection and life. Let us come to Him, so He can open the “eyes of our hearts”. Believe in Him, so He can open our hearts and be ready for the after-life.

Almighty Father, God of daylight and of darkness, God of heaven, God of earth: You are Lord of all our living. Hold us in the hands that made us. Cradle all our hopes and fears. Let us praise and glorify you forever.

Take me out of the dark, my Lord – I don’t want to be there.