Breaking the bonds of death

This weekend’s First Reading, from the Prophet Ezekiel presents a promise from God that he
will save his people, even if this entails raising them from the dead. Our Gospel Reading sets
the stage nicely for the celebration of Easter by demonstrating that Jesus is the living
fulfilment of this promise. Jesus confidently tells Martha, “I am the Resurrection”, and then he
proceeds to miraculously restore Lazarus to life.
It is important to note, however, that even though Lazarus emerges from the tomb, he is still
bound by his grave-clothes. This symbolises the fact that he is not yet completely free. He has
been raised, but only his mortal life has been restored. He has not yet entered into the
everlasting life of the Resurrection. As St. Paul reminds us in the Second Reading, the fullness
of the Resurrection is only accessible through the Holy Spirit we receive at Baptism, through
faith, and through a real commitment to following Jesus in the way that we live our lives. If we
follow the unspiritual path of selfish and materialistic worldly values, we cannot expect to
reach the same final destination that Christ did. It is only by embracing the Spirit and following
the Way of the Cross marked out for us by Jesus that we can really share in his complete and
ultimate victory over the grave. Before God can transform our deaths, we must really give
ourselves over to him and let him transform our lives.