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Reflection on the Gospel-5th Sunday of Lent Year A, 6 April 2014 (John 11:1-45)

Today’s readings touch into the most profound of human mysteries, the mysteries of life and death. To hold a new born child or to see a sick person restored to health is to experience the wonder of life. On the other hand, the unexpected death of a loved one can bring unimagined grief and pain. Death brings tears, even anger. Little wonder that “life” becomes a metaphor for transformation and new beginnings or that “death” so often signifies deprivation and loss.

The gospel reading is about the death and restoration to life of Lazarus, “the one whom Jesus loved”. It is the last of the seven “signs” in John’s “book of signs” that reveal the “glory” of God. It is also the greatest of Jesus’ signs. It functions as a catalyst for the events that lead to his death: “…from that day on they planned to put him to death” (11:53). It provides the occasion for Jesus to assert ‘I am the resurrection and the life” and to invite assent to that revelation of his identity. It reveals the compassion and tender heart of Jesus who weeps at the grief of Mary his friend and the death of her brother. It also reveals the goodness in the hearts of those “Jews” who share her grief and who come to faith in Jesus who raises the dead to life.

Though the story revolves around the plight of Lazarus, Martha and Mary are the characters who, with Jesus, occupy centre stage in the narrative and into whose faith journey we are invited to enter. The women are introduced before Lazarus. Martha and Mary are identified as “sisters” who live in Bethany. Are they blood “sisters” or sisters in their love of Jesus, their faith commitment to him, or both? Lazarus is Mary’s sick “brother”. There is no mention at the outset of his relationship to Martha, though she later claims him as her “brother”. Might they all be part of a little faith community in Bethany rather than biological siblings? A brief notice alerts the reader to the imminent death of Jesus: “Mary is the one who anointed Jesus with perfumed oil and wiped his feet with her tears”. The details of that story are yet to be narrated. The reader will later discover that Mary’s anointing of Jesus is “for the day of [his] burial”. As so often in John’s gospel, misunderstanding and irony function to bring the actors in the drama and us as actors in the theatre of Christian life to new levels of understanding and faith.

 

Study Tour of the Biblical Lands from 15 November to 18 December 2014.
Jordan, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Turkey and Greece.
Tour Leaders: Rev Anthony Dean cm & Dr Rosemary Canavan.

Information Session: Saturday 12 April at 2.00pm RSVP & further information:
Jenny Delahunt T: 9412 3314
E: jenny.delahunt@ctc.edu.au

Reflection on the Gospel-4th Sunday of Lent Year A, 30 March 2014 (John 9:1-41)

‘There are none so blind as those who will not see.’ Last week, we journeyed with a woman of Samaria from a superficial level of faith understanding to deeper insight into Jesus’ identity and mission and to stronger faith commitment. This week, we are invited on a faith journey with a man born blind and with the different groups of participants in the drama. All have the opportunity of coming to faith. Not all accept the invitation. Ironically, the blind come to see, both physically and spiritually, while those who are gifted with physical sight remain in spiritual darkness.

In healing the man born blind, Jesus performs the sixth of eight powerful actions or ‘signs’ in John’s gospel that reveal God’s power at work in Jesus and in the lives of those who seek life. The ‘signs’ invite the reader/hearer/viewer to accept Jesus and his revelation of God and God’s purposes.

Time features significantly in the story. Jesus heals the blind beggar on the sabbath. The Jerusalem authorities have already raised objections about Jesus’ sabbath healing activity (John 5). Once again they object that he is failing to observe the Sabbath. They label him a sinner. Ironically, in the final authoritative analysis, it is they who ‘remain in their sins’.

This story reminds us of the need to check out our assumptions. It also reminds us to accept the fact that we can be wrong about things we have always believed. It invites us to be open to see differently or from a new perspective. Jesus’ disciples, the parents of a man born blind, his neighbours, the religious authorities all operate out of unchecked assumptions. They mostly come to the wrong conclusions. Only those willing to admit that they have it wrong have any chance of coming to faith.

In the common estimation, the man was blind, so he or his parents must have sinned. Not so, according to Jesus. From the perspective of the authorities, Jesus heals on the Sabbath and is therefore a sinner. Not so, from Jesus’ point of view. The man was born blind, so needs others to speak for him. Not so, say his parents, he can speak for himself. He does speak for himself and quite eloquently, to the chagrin of the religious authorities. He presents them with the truth about Jesus but they refuse to accept the word of an outcast. Their reaction is violent: they drive him out. But Jesus goes in search of him and leads him to yet deeper levels of faith and understanding. You may like to read the story once more and put yourself in the place of the different characters. There is a little bit of each character in every one of us.

 

Tickets are now on sale for the April Concerts.

    This will comprise  excerpts from Bach’s St Matthew and St John Passions and Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria.’
The choir will be supported by two professional singers—Alexandra Flood as Soprano and Lotte Betts-Dean as Contralto. They will appear with a hand-picked chamber orchestra.
Patrons in Gisborne and surrounds will be delighted to know that we have at last found a venue in Gisborne suitable for our concerts. This is the Church of Christ new auditorium on Saunders Road and will be the venue for the first concert on Sunday 6th April starting at 3 p.m. This will be followed on Sunday 13th April with a performance at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Kyneton also commencing at 3 p.m.
In traditional style both concerts will be followed by afternoon tea.