In John’s gospel miracles are called “signs” because they point to something greater than themselves. They point us to who Jesus is. In Sunday’s gospel the raising of Lazarus from the dead is a sign pointing to Jesus’ power over death because he is the resurrection and the life. In our first scripture, the prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those living in the shadows of death or experiencing despair, these stories proclaim God’s promise of new life. In baptism, we die with Christ so that we might also be raised with him to new life. Thus Lent is our annual emerging from death, despair, and the grave by God’s power. It is only by God’s power – and not our own work – that we experience this amazing grace. And often is only by dying fully that we can fully experience the sweetness of that grace. Join us on Sunday as Director of Adult Faith Formation, Deacon Kelly Jensen, invites us to experience this amazing grace once again.
Image: See How He Loved Him by Wayne Forte. Copyright Wayne Forte. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the artist.