Dear Parishioners,

I just returned from spending a few days in Boston where I was teaching two classes at Boston College as Visiting Jesuit Artist. I also had time to visit friends and my former parish. It was a very grace-filled time for me but something happened that was very unexpected. While I was there I was told that a friend and long-time parishioner was very close to death. Her name is Jean and I have known her and her son for more than 25 years, Jean is a person with a heart of gold and a grand spirit. Although life had its challenges, she always gave completely of herself and did whatever she could for anyone who needed her. My visit to her in the hospital was unexpected for both of us. She said to me, “Bob, I never thought I would see you again!”. We prayed together and I anointed her and said “Au revoir! A la prochaine!” knowing that we would not see each other again in this life. (Jean had her master’s degree in French and we would often communicate in that language)

I was thinking how timely this visit to a friend who does not have much longer to live was, given the scriptures of the 5th Sunday of Lent. They are, of course, about friendship, loss, death and the promise of Resurrection. As I thought about Jean’s words to me, I couldn’t help thinking of the song “You’ve Got a Friend” that James Taylor made famous years ago. “You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I’ll come running, to see you again. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, all you have to do is call and I’ll be there. Yes, I will. You’ve got a friend.” The story of the “Raising of Lazarus” is “cosmic”, manifesting Jesus’ trust in God to raise Lazarus and bring him back to life. It is also confessional in Martha’s recognition of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. On another level, however, it is simply about love and friendship. Jesus calls the name of his dear friend, Lazarus and God restores him to life, to his family to his friendship with Jesus. Yes, Lazarus will die as all do but for the moment he is living in the embrace of those who love him.

As we hear this powerful Gospel this weekend, I’d invite you to think about and pray in gratitude for the friends who embrace you with their love, their care, who “just call out your name”. And remember that Jesus desires to share this friendship with you and “he’ll come running” Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, all you have to do is call and he’ll be there, Yes, he will. You’ve got a friend!

Blessings!

Fr. Bob