Every human life has dark places, but some cannot always see them. Often, they are hidden within us: painful memories, fear of the future, the heaviness that comes from so many things happening in the world, or anger, sadness, guilt, anxiety, or depression that weighs on the heart. Some people may walk around smiling on the outside, but inside, they carry a tomb.
The first reading speaks about this reality. Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord speaks to a people who felt defeated and dead inside: “I will open your graves and have you rise from them… I will put my Spirit within you so that you may live.” God knows there are times when the places we’re in feel like sealed tombs. The message of Scripture, however, is hopeful: God wants to open tombs, and He can.
The Psalm expresses a deep cry from the heart: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.” Those depths are the places where a person feels overwhelmed—where hope seems lost. Yet, the psalmist affirms with confidence: “With the Lord there is mercy and abundant redemption.”
In the letter to the Romans, Saint Paul reminds us that the Spirit of God is close. He dwells within us, even in the darkest moments of life. The Spirit of God works in the heart of the believer and brings life to what once seemed lifeless.
In the Gospel of John, we see God’s promise become reality in the story of Lazarus. Jesus arrives at a sealed tomb, with four days already having passed. Martha even warns that there will be a stench. Yet, Jesus stands before the tomb and cries out loudly: “Lazarus, come out!” And the man comes out.
In addition to being a miracle that happened in Bethany, that moment is a sign of what Christ wants to do in every human heart. Wherever there is a tomb filled with fear, sadness, anger, or despair, Christ stands before it and calls us to life.
