We are missioned to bring the love of Christ to those imprisoned by a tomb, of fear, a tomb of indifference, or a tomb of stress,

As we pray over this beautiful story of the raising of Lazarus, we reflect on the Lord’s desire to not only to renew our physical life; but much more important, to raise us to the fullness of eternal life by giving us a share in the dying and the rising of Jesus..

Lord, there are many people who are Lazarus in our Church, in our neighborhood, and in our nation, seemingly alive but really in the tomb.

n  Those who are letting themselves by killed by alcohol  or drugs,

n  Those who are cynical, who have no energy or enthusiasm,

n  Those for whom the Church is no longer a part of their lives,

n  Those who have been hurt by someone in the life of the Church,

n  Those young people who are spiritual but do not feel connected to the Church in any way.

We ask you Father to send them Jesus:

n  Someone who will be a friend to them as was Jesus to Lazarus.

n  Will not be afraid to remove the stone that is closing them in,

n  Will ignore us when we protest that they are already four days in the grave and will smell.

n  Will call them to come out, and set them free.

Lord, we pray for the Church of the Holy Spirit:

n  That we may be Jesus in the world,

n  That we may be led to where Lazarus is lying in a tomb,

Fill the Church of the Holy Spirit with the love of Jesus for Lazarus, so that she may call him out of the tomb and set him free.

We can find the mission of the Church in this beautiful Gospel account.  We as a parish community are missioned to our young, to our senior citizens, to the families of our parish, to one and all to bring the presence and the love of Christ to those who seem to be imprisoned in a tomb of fear, a tomb of indifference, and a tomb of stress for whatever reason.  We are missioned to bring the love and the healing of Jesus to our parish community and to one and all.

On this Commitment Sunday, we are asking you to commit financially to our parish so that we have the resources to build up our vibrant community.  Yes, there is a financial dimension to our spirituality.  When we give generously in praise of to God and in service of our community, we indeed are doing the work of God in sharing what has been given us.

If it is possible, and only if it is possible, we are asking you to increase your financial commitment as you are able, so that we as a parish community can proclaim the love of Jesus to all who are in need.

May this be the rhythm of our spiritual lives:  As we are loved, so we love; as we are forgiven, so we forgive; as we receive mercy, so we must be merciful; and we have been blessed, so must we share in support of our Church.

Have a blessed day.