...Jesus Wept

 

As I read the Gospel appointed for this upcoming Sunday, I happened to recall a news story from 60 Minutes a few years back. I remembered her first name, a beautiful memorable name, Gabriella and that the child had ultimately succumbed to cancer. The story made an impression on me then that continues to this day. I searched the 60 Minutes archive, linking her first name with brain cancer and found “Gabriella Miller.” I wondered what prompted my need to know, although I realized that something I read in preparing for this week’s Gospel reminded me of this child. That something I read was John’s (John 11:1-45) account of the story of Lazarus. Is there any more familiar story to us than that of “Lazarus?” Well beyond the realm of religion, the name Lazarus has become a well-known metaphor for revival and resurrection.

 So why did I connect the Lazarus story to this child, who died four years ago at the age of 10? Gabriella was diagnosed with brain cancer in November of 2012 but rather than retreat to her illness and the discomfort of all the interventions designed to reverse or halt her condition, she never lost hope. Instead, she dedicated her young, fragile life to raising awareness for cancer in children who like her, were suffering and who unlike her, had no voice…quietly retreat to waiting. She became a force for action, raising funds to support research and seeing to the “comfort” and wishes of terminally ill youngsters. To that end she raised millions of dollars and vicariously saw to the aid and comfort of hundreds of afflicted children.

The story of Lazarus shares much in common with the woman at the well and the blind man. The faith of Martha and Mary and the Samaritan woman’s belief that Jesus was the Messiah, instilled a spark of faith in all those around them. They stepped out of their comfort zones despite the risk of being criticized if not condemned.

 In many ways Gabriella is like the woman at the well. She defied her illness as the Samaritan defied convention. Gabriella did not step back in silence, reserved for the terminally ill, and was not willing to submit to her illness as she called for action… as we stand by wringing our hands in sympathy…and go on about our lives. No, the story of Lazarus doesn’t lead us to believe that God would save Gabriella from death, or raise her from the dead; after all, even Lazarus would eventually succumb to physical death. But the story makes us realize that God through Gabriella resurrects us and transforms our faith to as we see the love of God played out again and again, through the life of this 10 year old child… again and again.