We live in a culture that fears death. We are not even very good with little deaths of self-denial, delayed gratification, and the personal suffering that comes from staying the course of commitments we make. This Sunday all three readings speak of death as leading to rising. … when I open your graves and have you rise from them … I will put my spirit in you that you may live (Ezekiel); … the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his spirit dwelling in you … (Romans); I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live … (John). All this “rising” does not happen at death. It is happening as we live. Can you remember times and feelings when you “felt like dying” because something tragic was happening to you — whether physical or emotional or spiritual or mental? I can. Notice the journey we made to the “other side,” the new life or new path or new choice or …. The Lord was right there — not absent — just as Jesus was there for Lazarus — entering our suffering and using just the right moment to bring us new life.
– Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia