Lazarus, come forth! Homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a microcosm of the Gospel story. Jesus leaves Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan to enter hostile territory (Judea) to raise his friend to life. The gospel of John is the story of Jesus leaving the bosom of the Father to enter into a world where he will endure suffering and death. He does this so that we may have life and have it to the full.