Untie him and let him go.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 11:1-45*

*First Reading : Ez 37:12-14*

*SECOND READING - Rom 8:8-11*

*“Untie him and let him go.”*

*1) The Raised Lazarus was with White Clothes*

When Jesus raised Lazarus, He came out of the Tomb. But he was wrapped with white clothes. 

That's why Jesus told those who were around, untie Him, let Him Go

*2) Was Jesus unable to untie the white cloth?*

It appears that after raising Lazarus, Jesus would used one word, about the cloth, and it would have disappeared

It was not that Jesus was unable to untie Lazarus from the white cloth, but He purposely, told those who were around Him. 

Why? What are the reasons? 

*3) Various Reasons*

*A) To strengthen their Faith*

To see a person who was raised from the dead itself is a unusual thing

There is a lot of fear about death and people also were not sure whether Lazarus was really raised or not 

Was he a ghost? Was he a spirit? Or was he a real human being? Were  some of the questions

No body would easily touch the dead man, because of the fear 

In this context Jesus tells them to touch the raised man, to experience that he is real Lazarus who was living before his death and now he is living 

So death has no control over Lazarus now, and he is like one among us - to prove this Jesus asked them to untie him 

There is also another reason to strengthen their faith by experiencing the real things in life 

*B) Human Cooperation*

This incident also shows that God needs our cooperation in the resurrection 

In other words, God involves the Human beings in the mighty and powerful works. 

God alone can do. But with His generosity he gives us a plenty of opportunities to participate in the Redemptive work of the Lord 

So Gods needs our cooperation. God's work is not one sided 

*4) Lent is a time to untie the Wrapped things*

All of us are tied with so many things. As a result we are not able to move forward 

Lazarus was not able to move until he was untied by the others 

Lent is a time to allow ourselves to be untied by others, so that we are freed to move forward

*5) Who are others or who are they?*

In the Gospel we see that Jesus says to *them*, untie him let him go 

During this Lenten season, the particular word *them* has special reference to our life 

So this word *them* could mean the following

The sacrament of *Reconciliation* which can untie us from the clothes of Sin

*The Eucharist* Eucharist can untie our hearts and minds to experience the Love of Jesus for us 

*Prayer* prayer can untie the blindness and darkness from our life, and bring the divine light to walk in the right path 

*Service, Sacrifice, Generosity, Humility, simplicity* are the other important values which can untie us from our selfishness and greed, which will help us to move forward and grow in the love of Jesus 

*6) Am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others?*

There are many of *them* around me to untie me from the obstacles which hinder my growth

But the question is am I ready to allow myself to be untied by others? 

Am I ready to grow in the values of Christ? 

Am I ready to cooperate with God and others in the process of untying??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*