Eternal Life – In today’s Gospel, Jesus leaves what is for him safe country across the Jordan to go to Judea. He puts his own life at mortal risk in order to give life to his mortally ill friend.
Strangely, of course, Jesus, on hearing the news of Lazarus’ grave illness, delays a few days before acting on the sisters’ message. In effect, he allows Lazarus to die. This means that he can enter into and address the grief of Martha and Mary, and of all those who subsequently mourn the death of loved ones.