“Let us also go die with him.”
The final three words are how we experience Jesus. These words are not what draw us to Christ, but rather what we draw from Christ, what we benefit or experience in a relationship with Him. The WORKS, the BODY, and the LIFE of Christ are what we get and what keeps us united to Him.
The first of the last first three words is WORKS. At some point we expect more than words from a relationship. It is very easy for a man or woman to talk the talk, but not walk the walk. It is easy to say you will do something, but then to not follow through. In the WORKS of Christ we see that everything that Christ says and promises He actually does. His miracles, compassion, and life are proof of His words. He lives out what He speaks. He says, “unless you pick up your Cross” and then He does pick up His Cross. He says, “pray for your enemies” and then prays, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” The Gospel is not just words, but words put into action. Jesus is not just a prophet, speaking the truth, but is the high priest and king, who sacrifices, heals and governs through His actions. There is no separation between what Jesus professes and what He lives. We are called to not only benefit from these works, but have the honor and privilege and indeed the calling to join, to cooperate in these works of Christ. Jesus said to us, “Amen, amen, is say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater one than these, because I am going to the Father.” [1] Seated at the right hand of the Father and fully alive, Jesus continues to work and it is his followers that do the works in Him. We are called also by our baptism to be prophet, priest and king. To not only speak the truth, but to live out the truth.
Search: Priest, Prophet, King
In human relationships, especially if we look at the relationship between husband and wife, there is a progression. The couple speaks to each other, and then they do things for each other. At some point, after the words and works have proven themselves a question arises: Would the man lay down his life for the woman? Would the woman sacrifice herself for the man? In a marriage, the words and works are not enough; the couple must give the complete gift of self (body and soul) to each other. This love, this deeper relationship, entails the giving of ones very body to the other. “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” [2] Jesus therefore gives us His BODY. He not only gives us His Body tells us you are my Body. Saint Paul says, “For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body.” [3] Christ is the head of the Body, we are the members, this unity is most perfectly witness and lived out in Holy Communion. Just as we are called to do the WORKS of Christ, we are also called to be the BODY of Christ. The level of relationship is no longer just attractiveness to each other, but rather, a communion with the other, so eventually there is no “other” but only one. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” [4] Jesus lays down His life and gives us His Body. When a married couple shows this great love, they do this by giving the gift of themselves in the marital act. What happens? Life happens. Love produces life.
Jesus lays down His body and thus gives us LIFE. “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” [5] A married couple, not only shares life, but also brings forth new life. Christ, not only shares His life with us, but brings forth new life, eternal life, in us. “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [6]
The middle word acts as a hinge and is in relation to the first group and the final group. It is said that in any relationship, communication is at the center. PRAYER is the key to our relationship with Christ. “You are children of the light (cf. Jn 12:36)! You belong to Christ, and he has called you by name. Your first responsibility is to get to know as much as you can about him, in your parishes, in religious instruction in your high schools and colleges, in your youth groups and Newman Centers. But you will get to know him truly and personally only through prayer. What is needed is that you talk to him, and listen to him. Today we are living in an age of instant communications. But do you realize what a unique form of communication prayer is? Prayer enables us to meet God at the most profound level of our being. It connects us directly to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in a constant exchange of love. Through prayer you will learn to become the light of the world, because in prayer you become one with the source of our true light, Jesus himself.” [7]
These seven words indicate to us, how close or far we are from Christ. Are we attracted to Him? How much are we attracted to Him? Are we benefiting from a relationship with Him? Do we know His words, His works and how well? Are we in union with Him? Are we laying down our life for Him? We are Children of the Light and Christ is the source of this light. Are we in the light? If we are how much? The Spiritual Reading in this packet speaks about those that have walked away from the faith “and the further he travels from the Catholic light, the nearer he comes to the darkness of death” [8] This light is necessary if we are to accompany Christ; Jesus says, “If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of the world. But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” [9] Those that are walking toward heaven see glimpses of the light of heaven now, on their journey and as Jesus says will not stumble. Those that are walking toward hell see glimpses of the darkness of hell now, on their journey, and as Jesus says will stumble. Which path will we walk?
In the Gospel of the rising of Lazarus, where do we see these seven words? Each person in the Gospel (Disciples, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the Jews) is called into a deeper relationship with Christ. How does each of these people respond? What does each of these quotes say about the people and about Jesus?
CROSS – “Let us go die with him” – Saint Thomas (verse 16)
The apostles know that Jerusalem means “death”. They don’t yet know what kind of death. For the apostle the cross is unavoidable. When we encounter the cross a decision must be made.
NAME – “Sir, come and see” – the Jews (verse 34)
Jesus is called many names in the chapter. He is called teacher, master and even calls Himself the Resurrection and Life. The Jews, like the Samaritan call Him “sir”. They do know the power of His holy Name.
WORDS - “Lazarus, come out” – Jesus (verse 43)
By His very words Jesus raises a man from the dead. His words are powerful.
PRAYER – “Whatever you ask of God, God will give you” – Saint Martha (verse 22)
“Father, I thank you for hearing me” – Jesus (verse 41)
The reality of prayer is that God does hear us and will give us what we ask, if it is according to His will. Since the Son and Father are one in substance and in will, everything that Jesus asks will be given to Him.
WORKS – “See how he loved him” – the Jews (verse 36)
The Jews in verse 37 says that Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man. They knew well His miraculous works and reputation, but what impressed them most is that “he loved”.
BODY – “Untie him and let him go” – Jesus (verse 44)
Jesus cares about both body and soul. Not only does He heal the soul but He raises the body of Lazarus, a body that was tied up and bound. He does to Lazarus, what He will do to His own body and what He will also do to our bodies, at the resurrection of the dead. The body is not left to corrupt, nor does it stay bound.
LIFE – “I am the resurrection and the life” – Jesus (verse 25)
Jesus is the life and invites us to live this life. There is only one life and that is the life of Christ. Alban Bulter’s book call “Life of the Saints” does not use the word “lives” but “life”. The Saints live the life. We thorough the liturgical year and the sacraments live the life of Christ.
[1] John 14:12
[2] Luke 22:19
[3] Ephesians 5:23
[4] John 15:13
[5] John 10:10-11
[6] John 11:25-26
[7] Saint John Paul II; Saint Louis; January 26, 1999
[8] From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
[9]John 11:9-10