Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
John 11:1-45
Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, died and was buried. Jesus told them:
“I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die.
Jesus gave life back to Lazarus.
Video: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead: https://youtu.be/cONM7poWcXc?si=NRuGJ9eU02JK73T_
Video for young children : https://youtu.be/SqP0LydGiu8?si=LxM1J0Xxc2trtuc0
For children: Read Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead (Featured Story). pages 1680-1681.
(Resurrection: NEW life after death)
HOMILY
Let's start with a review of God's good news for us that we've been learning:
Jesus Christ loves me:
He gave his life to save me;
and now he is living at my side every day
to teach, strengthen, and free me.
How does the story of Lazarus connect or reinforce this proclamation and help us grow closer to Jesus as our Lord and Savior?
In this story, Jesus tells us that he was sent by God the Father to free Lazarus from death.
Jesus tells us that he IS the RESURRECTION and the new life (living by our side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free those who believe.)
Jesus promises that all who believe in him will live this new life he gives us forever.
By raising Lazarus from the dead, he shows that his promise is true.
By his own death and Resurrection, Jesus freed all of us from death.
Like Lazarus and like Jesus, we will also be raised from the dead to live with God forever.
By giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us every day, we can enjoy this gift of new life in His Kingdom now and for ever.
INVITATION TO SILENT PRAYER:
Let us take a moment to pray in silence to center our hearts on Jesus as the Resurrection and the renewed Life for ALL who believe.
May we be conformed more and more to the image and likeness of Christ in his passion and resurrection and enable us to win over death in this world, with God’s grace.
Let us pray that
Faith may strengthen us against worldly deceit of every kind, let us pray to the Lord:
Response: Lord hear our prayer
That we may always thank God, who has chosen to rescue us from our lack of understanding of eternal life and to guide us to continue on the way of salvation and healing, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
That the example and prayers of others who have shed their blood for Christ may encourage us in our hope of eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
That we may truly hate sin, which destroys what God created, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
That those who are saddened by the death of family or friends may find comfort in Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
That we too at Easter may again be confirmed in our hope of rising to life with Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
That the whole world, which God has created in love, may flower in faith and charity and so receive new life, let us pray to the Lord
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
CLEANSING PRAYER for the Faithful
Father of life and God not of the dead but of the living
You sent your Son to proclaim life,
To snatch us from the realm of death,
And to lead us to the Resurrection.
Free us from the death-dealing power of the spirit of evil, so that we may bear witness to our renewed life in the risen Christ, for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Response: AMEN
Sponsor places hands on candidate’s shoulder as we pray:
Lord Jesus by raising Lazarus from the dead
You show that you came that we might have life
And have it more abundantly.
We pray for continued protection of our candidates
Who await the Sacrament of Confirmation
And continue to protect and deliver them from the spirit of corruption.
Through your Spirit, who gives life
Fill all of us with faith, hope, and charity,
That we may live with you always
In the glory of your resurrection
For you are Lord for ever and ever.
Response: AMEN
May we ALL go in peace and may the Lord remain with us always
Response: AMEN
