Lazarus, loved by Jesus, was healed
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Ref. Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A
From John 11:38-44 RSV, "Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Laz′arus, come out.” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”"
When Jesus saw the grave of Lazarus, He wept (v. 35). He was deeply moved as we continue with v. 38, above. Here was Lazarus, dead for four days already, It is significant that Jesus thanked the Father. When we pray for someone's healing, we should always begin our prayer with thanksgiving.
All praise be Yours, my God, through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious, and pure.
—St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Sun
The Canticle of the Sun is a great example of Contemplative Prayer. So follow St. Francis in thanking the Lord as he does in the above verse. There are so many ways to thank the Father. Just look outside at the trees, the grass, the sand, the rain. Last night we had a large thunderstorm and we were reminded of His power. As noisy as these storms usually are, let us thank Him for the rain and the wind-
- Let us Adore our Lord always. Tell Him how you feel in your heart in a simple way, just talking to him like two friends talking to each other. He is our friend and our brother.
- Ask His forgiveness for your misdeeds.
- Ask Him to bless, heal, comfort, the people or person you are praying for.
- Thank Him for helping that person
Jesus told people at the grave of his friend Lazarus to "Unbind him, and let him go." (v. 44) We hope He will unbind us and let us go into Eternal Life when our time comes.
Peace and Good,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
March 17, 2026