![]() Which is why he came down to save us from it - not in the way we would design which would be to opt out of death and thus trap ourselves in this sorry world forever, but to give us eternal life with him. The body, which is sacred because God created it good, is then subjected to rot. Why did he do that, knowing he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead? Because death was never part of God’s plan for humanity. To onlookers, Our Lord seemed to confirm it when he wept. Lazarus died and was buried and finally Our Lord came. Lewis would say, “not a tame lion,” using his great power and strength in a way that man can harness, control, or predict. When Mary and Martha sent for Jesus with the urgent message that Lazarus was gravely ill, they hoped - and perhaps expected - him to come without delay and save the day. Thus, even before the spectacular raising of Lazarus, that trio of saints gave glory to Jesus. He wants us to invite him to stay with us, and to serve him and to listen to him, as Lazarus and his sisters did. He technically owned every place in the universe, right? But he wanted to go where he was welcome, to stay where people made room for him. “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (Matthew 8:20) Consider what this meant to Jesus, who had no home of his own. Jesus often stayed with him and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, when he was passing through Bethany. It is also important to point out who Lazarus was to Our Lord. ![]() They point to him, as the resurrection of Lazarus points to Our Lord. The saints are not – as some misinformed critics believe – in competition with Our Lord. Son of God, wonderful in the saints, save us who sing to you: Alleluia.Ĭould the Catholic doctrine of the role of the saints be any clearer? It is the Son of God who alone saves and it is the saints who give him glory. The Divine Liturgy affirms it in this weekday hymn, often sung on a saint’s feast day: “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) The raising of Lazarus also shows a key Catholic doctrine, that God is glorified in his saints. (Lazarus Saturday, triodion by Emperor Leo) Lazarus became the saving first-fruits of the world’s regene ration.Īll things are possible for Thee, O Lord and King of all. Our Lord shows his followers that he has power over death, so that they will believe in his power over his own death. ![]() The resurrection of Lazarus is wrapped up in the resurrection of Jesus. Though Lazarus has his own regular brand feast day in October on the Eastern calendar, this is the big one. ![]() In the Eastern Rite, this mind blowing event is always commemorated on the day before Palm Sunday, which this year was April 13. It is the day Our Lord summoned his friend back to this life, despite four days and several spools of moldering mummy wrap. Lazarus Saturday celebrates the opposite. The activities still continue with mass, blessing of the pets and the procession that will take place at 8 pm.Most feast days of the saints celebrate the day the saint died, went to heaven, and stayed put. Norgi Rodríguez, a volunteer at Rincón de San Lázaro, points out: “I come in gratitude for all the blessings that it has given me and my family, but more than anything I come for my neighbor because here I have mothers who come with sick children, I help to keep the promises.” “It is a tradition that all Cubans have, all of us who believe in San Lázaro and the Virgin of Charity.”Īmong those present today were people who had recently arrived from Cuba, others who were sick, but they all came to fulfill their promises. ![]() “For me it is something that since I was a child I was taught to follow Saint Lazarus and celebrate the eve of Saint Lazarus and I have always had faith in him and he has helped me a lot,” admits Letin Cardona, a fervent devotee of Saint Lazarus.įor many like Mercedes Abrego, the issue becomes cultural. This Sunday hundreds of devotees came to the Rincón de San Lázaro in Hialeah to fulfill their promises and pay tribute to the saint like every December 17. ![]()
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