BELIEVE: A Lenten Study with Bishop Saenz - Fifth Sunday in Lent from John 12:1-2; 9-11 "There is Life in Christ After Trauma"
March 26, 2023
On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Saenz takes a unique slant on the story and tradition of Lazarus, the one whom Jesus raised from the dead, focusing on the hours and then decades after being called out of the tomb by Jesus.The resurrection of Lazarus terribly disrupted and traumatized his life.
- He became a hunted and wanted man. There were rumors about plots to kill him because people believed in Jesus on account of him.
- According to Scripture and the tradition of the Cypriot church, Lazarus and his two sisters fled from Bethany and settled in Cyprus to escape the anger of those plotting to kill him.
- Eastern Orthodox tradition claims the Apostles Paul and Barnabas ordained Lazarus as the first Bishop of Cyprus, where he served until he died 30 years after Jesus resurrected him from the grave.
- Despite his position as bishop, it was said that Lazarus never smiled or joked. After many years of questioning, he revealed the misery of Hades while there for four days before being resurrected by Jesus. He explained that no one could recover from the shock of what they saw and experienced.