Conforming (phase 2), Jesus raises Lazarus and gets anointed at the supper in Bethany - AtaDc (step20), session 1a

In this step we contemplate the events leading up to the final confrontation between Jesus and his enemies at the last Passover. The climate of these last days as Jesus gets near Jerusalem becomes heavier and heavier. The situation of the companions is still similar to the contemplated events of the life of Jesus, as they face the seriousness of the consequences of the decisions they are about to make.

The raising of Lazarus is the most powerful of the “signs” Jesus gave to make [clear] his mission as giver of life[]. We can point out the parallel between the raising of Lazarus and the parable in Luke’s gospel on the rich man and the poor Lazarus (Lk 7:11-17). Also the poor Lazarus of the parable died and the rich man requested his return to warn the living of the necessity of conversion and faith. In John’s gospel Lazarus does return from the dead but not all believe, moreover, for the Sanhedrin this miracle of Jesus was the direct motive to seek to kill him. - Step by Step Retreats, Orientation to step 20

I'm going to take a session or two on the actual reading discussed in this second paragraph, but for now I want to just focus on this general context, especially since I just heard this reading (Jn 11:1-45) at Mass today. The scripture for the second session covers the remainder of the chapter, bridging this week to the events of Holy Week.

In the center of the Garden of Eden were the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. I believe it was God's plan all along for us to eat the fruit of this second tree, and knowing we would eat the fruit of the first tree he prepared before the foundation of the world to send his son to be the tree of life for us.

I also have wondered about the two Lazarus scriptures, and whether the Lazarus of the parable might actually be the Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead. Jesus concludes that parable with Abraham telling the rich man that if we would not listen to Moses and the prophets, we would not believe even if one were to return from the dead. So it is for those who see Jesus as a threat because of the raising of Lazarus rather than as proof that he is indeed the resurrection and the life (which makes a nice tie-in to the previous step, Who is Jesus?). Skeptics say that seeing is believing, but people of faith come to know that it is the other way around: believing leads to seeing.

Oh, enough for now.