We just heard this beautiful reading of the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
And we see that in this gospel, in this part of the gospel, there's really what we could call a summary of the gospel message.
It is that our Lord has come to give us life, that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
And that is eternal life.
And there's a condition for receiving this gift of eternal life.
That is belief in the Son of God, a belief that is informed with love and a love that is expressed by the observance of the commandments.
We read in the gospel, it says,
And there it really is in a nutshell.
Our Lord proclaiming himself, the life and resurrection, and then proposing this to the belief of Martha.
Not imposing, but proposing.
Expecting her to respond by her own free will.
And Martha does respond.
She makes that act of faith.
I do believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And so because of her faith, she will be given the gift of eternal life.
And now, to strengthen that faith.
Or to...
To give a motive for faith, instill that faith in the hearts of those who do not yet believe.
Our Lord then goes and works the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.
And he says explicitly that he has done this to instill belief in the hearts of those who do not yet believe.
When he addresses the Father.
Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me.
And I knew that thou hearest me always.
But because of the people who stand about, have I said it.
That they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And so he says this prayer.
He works the miracle so that those standing about may know that he is sent by the Father.
Sent to give us the gift of eternal life.
But now, as I mentioned, it's not enough.
It's not enough simply to believe.
As St. James tells us in his letter.
That even the devils believe, but they tremble.
That is, the devils believe, but their belief does not translate into love.
And so their belief avails them nothing.
Belief must translate itself into love.
And our love, of course, is expressed by keeping our faith.
In our Lord's commandments.
If you love me, keep my commandments.
Our Lord says in very simple and plain words.
In another part of St. John's Gospel.
So today we want to renew our faith in our Lord.
And resolve to keep his commandments.
And patiently await the gift of eternal life.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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Look to me and please to me.