Sunrise over Indian River Lagoon, FL

Today’s Gospel is about friendship and belief. The story, not to be taken literally, focuses on Lazarus. Here, in John, Lazarus is the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany. Martha, Mary and Lazarus were friends of Jesus.

We probably first hear the story of Lazarus in Sunday school. One young student, hearing the story, asked the teacher, “Why does it not tell the names of the others people who were raised from the dead.” The teacher replied, “It was only Lazarus. Why do you think there were more?” The student replied, “It says Lazarus came forth.”

Bethany is close to Jerusalem, the final stage of Jesus’ earthly journey. To the east of Jerusalem is a hill commonly referred to as the Mount of Olives. There is a 3,000 year old olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus drew apart to pray on the night before his crucifixion. Continue reading →