By Fr. Steve Rossey, O. Praem.
 A sabbatical at Oxford, nearly 30 years ago, brought me into contact
with a sculpture of Lazarus that I’ve never forgotten. Jacob Epstein created the captivating image for the 14th century chapel at New College. The bronze figure, which has a white patina, stands over 7 feet tall. Through the wide lacing of the bronze ‘winding cloth’ in which Lazarus is wrapped, one can observe the anatomy beneath.
The figure stands erect and stiff having just been called from the tomb. The head is twisted halfway around so that the chin touches the shoulder. The wrists are bound tightly to the thighs. But the arms and elbows project away from the body.
Upon closer examination one can see that the hands are bound on the backside of the figure. The head, being twisted in the position it is, could be facing forward if viewed from what could be the back; or could be facing backward, if viewed from what could be the front. It is difficult to tell which way the figure is facing. The figure seems capable of moving both forward and backward at the same time. In reality, it is a gesture of leaving and arriving in a single pose, of entering and exiting.
Matthew Fox, in his book, “A Spirituality Named Compassion,”
provides a bit of insight into ancient tombs. Today’s Gospel records that Lazarus’ tomb was carved out of a cave. (Later John will tell us the same of Jesus’ tomb). Fox says that a cave tomb was basically rounded or circular in shape. He emphasizes that this is not a closed circle…but rather an open one…one that is capable of being entered into and exited from.
Fox believes that because it is an open circle and because someone was actually called forth from it that it is a tomb in motion…a circle in motion…a spiral. As a spiral, then, it is clearly distinguished from a repetitive cyclical view of the universe. His point being that Jewish and Christian revelation holds that human history, while being spiral, also has a direction.
The spiral represents a true revolution …for it is a turning around, a turning from …and a turning toward. It is birth… metanoia (conversion)…death…rebirth…resurrection.
Fox also states that it is also interesting to note that DNA, the nucleic acid that is the basic ingredient to all life, is understood to be two ribbons in spiral motion. This double spiral becomes the basic symbol of all organic living.
“How appropriate,” says Fox, “that all spiritual living should possess the identical symbol …since the Creator of physical life is identical to the Creator of spiritual life.”
I believe the spiraling shroud around Epstein’s sculpture of Lazarus gives visual form to this symbolism.
Seen from this point of view, it seems to me that our lives are caught up in this womb/tomb/ /spiraling imagery. As unborn infants… bound hand and foot …limbs to torso…we are immobilized by the umbilical cord that feeds us life …yet holds us in restriction.
As adults, how often do we feel immobilized by the wrapping shroud of sin that can turn us in upon self…or bring us to the realization of our real value and worth.
“Lazarus, come out!” What do you hear when you hear these words? They are words that Jesus addresses to you and to me.
We…who are so often bound up…so awfully dead that we just cannot move…and then that muffled voice breaks through that stony wall …that tomb we have erected around ourselves.
“Come out” I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me…though he should die…will come to life…and whoever is alive and believes in me…will never die.”
In this climactic “I AM” saying of Jesus, Jesus defines life as belief in his identity and death: Life as a temporary exchange for those who declare this belief. It seems to me that from this it follows that the real gift of life is not in the raising of Lazarus, but rather it is the full belief in Jesus.
Resurrection, seen in this context, is not so much a theological problem as it is a religious experience. It is not something that happens ‘out there,’ but rather it is the transforming presence of Jesus within us.
Biblical scholar Carroll Stuhlmueller puts it this way:
“Our Christian way of life does not consist in theological discussions on the nature and reality of the resurrection, but on the person of Jesus.
The person of Jesus alive…right now in our very midst…and who is ready to change our lives at this very moment.”
“Do you believe this?” Jesus says to Martha. Not fully understanding, Martha responds positively. In this Martha represents the model believer. Because of her positive response she is led to a deeper and fuller belief…the type of belief that results in life.
And then John records that extraordinary sentence: “They took away the stone.” In trust and in hesitant faith …Martha has removed her stone.
The question for us becomes: Are we just as strong spiritually… to believe? Are we just as strong to roll away the stone of our own disappointments, failures… frustrations… and losses?
“It has been four days,” we say, “there will be a stench!”
Four days…four weeks…four months…four years…four decades… Yes! There will be a stench. But the more important question is: Do we really believe that Jesus weeps within us …and orders us to plunge ahead into life? Are we convinced…that new life can come from our profound collapses?
It seems to me that if our spirit is strong that we will face every decision and every moment of life with the power of Jesus within us.
His Spirit will overwhelm us…and we will hear his words now addressed to each of us:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” The final plea of Lent is a call to life…life from the tombs we have built around ourselves.
“Lazarus, come out!”
|
