Our faith tells us that Jesus came into this world so that he may save us. In The Gospel it says that Jesus said, “‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” In other words, the body will soon return to ash but it is the soul that will go off to eternity. That is the most important experience for any person.

The question then: Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? Why didn’t he just tell Martha and Mary, “Be hopeful, your brother is in a much better place?” Why did he raise up Lazarus from the dead, then? After all, will he not live forever?

Three lessons why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead:

• First, God has a plan. When Lazarus was raised from the dead we are reminded that God has a plan. It was not yet the time of Lazarus to transition to the next life. It was also to show the people to always be hopeful. Even the most difficult times in life have a reason and a purpose. 
• Second, God is in control. Lazarus was dead for four days. That meant, he was really dead. However, when Jesus brought him back to life, it was a message that God is in control and He is even more powerful than illness and death.
• Third, God cares. Jesus cared for Lazarus as much as he cared for Martha and Mary. When Jesus wept and Lazarus was brought back to life, it sent the message that God cares.

In this Mass, let us remember that in life, we are only passing by:

• First, we remember our loved ones who have moved on. Let us pray for their eternal peace and rest.
• Second, we remember our own journey. May we always be prepared for eternal life as life is short and swift. We remember the saying, “If we want a meaningful death, we should have lived a meaningful life.”
• Third, as we journey through life, let us remember like Martha and Mary there are will be many moments of tears.

Yet, be hopeful: God cares, God is in control, God has a plan.