by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise
St. John’s Gospel is comprised of two major sections, the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. It is introduced by his beautiful, poetic prologue and has two conclusions (one was probably a later addition by one of his followers).
The Book of Glory speaks of Jesus’ ascent to the cross. John does not portray the cross as defeat but rather as supreme victory. The Resurrection is central to our faith. Christ freely accepted the cross as part of the Father’s will to arrive at the Resurrection. Throughout John’s version of the Passion, Jesus remains in complete control of everything that is happening. His final words in the Book of Glory, “It is finished,” make it clear that he saw the cross as the completion of the mission he became man to fulfill. The Book of Signs provides the vision to understand this.
John wrote his Gospel after Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote theirs. Their point of view was to get the information about the life, ministry, death, and Resurrection of Christ to as many people as possible. They are called the Synoptics, a term taken from the Greek “with one eye,” indicating that they wrote with the same point of view.
They wanted to provide historical facts and their understanding of them in the hope of both preserving the authentic message of salvation and passing it on. John, with the passage of time, had the opportunity to reflect on what he thought were the most important moments to preserve and to organize those thoughts in a way that would teach his basic truth (which we will hear about again next week): “God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son so that those who believe in him might not perish but will have eternal life.”
The seven signs John chose to write about are the wedding at Cana, the healing of the royal official’s son, the cure of the paralytic at Bethesda, the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus’ walking on the water, the cure of the man born blind (that we discussed last week) and today’s Gospel, the raising of Lazarus. Lazarus was a dear friend to Jesus. Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary, do not understand why Jesus hesitated to visit him, heal him, and relieve their suffering. Jesus knew he had a greater purpose. He teaches Martha about the Resurrection and His power over life and death. He goes to the tomb and raises Lazarus. He sets the stage. The next Resurrection for the Lord of Life will be his own.
As he teaches Martha, he asks her what is, perhaps, the most profound question in all the Scriptures and a question each of us must answer at some point in our lives if we are to live our faith authentically. After he assures Martha that her brother will rise, He says, “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.” Then he asks the critical question, “Do you believe this?”
We are already at the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. Easter is only two weeks away. Throughout this season we have been talking about the cross, the Passion, the Resurrection.
We have been following the Stations of the Cross. Some have been joining our bishop at various station churches each day during Lent. Sacrifices and prayers are ongoing. Both palms and lilies have been ordered. All to celebrate the triumph of Christ.
And so, the question, “Do we believe this?” Are we so animated by our faith in Jesus as the only begotten son who invites us to salvation that all our actions these 40 days express our conviction that he is Resurrection and Life?
Our answer makes the difference between these days being simple, pious devotions or faith-filled responses to God’s love.
Msgr. Joseph P. Calise is the pastor of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Maspeth.