Holy Monday Reflection Lazarus - Weekday Homily Video

I came across a stand-up comedy bit recently. The comedian says, “You ever notice, after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, you never see them hanging out again?” Think about that for a moment. Lazarus had a bad day. Not a flat tire. Not a bad meeting. He died. That’s already a terrible day.

Day one: “Okay this is new.” Day two: “I am Still dead. Not improving.” Day three: “Alright, I think this is permanent.” Day four: “You know what? I’ve accepted it. I’ve processed it. I’ve let go. I’ve moved on.” He’s finally at peace. Maybe he’s thinking, “This is actually not bad. No bills, no responsibilities, no family WhatsApp groups.” Everything is calm.

And just when he settles in, knock knock. “Lazarus, come out!” If I were Lazarus, I would be like, “Excuse me? Who is this? Do you know how long it took me to accept this situation?” “Lord, I finally reached heaven. I got my place, beautiful condo, excellent view, very quiet neighbors. No taxes, no stress. I just arranged my furniture, and now You want me to go back?” And Lazarus comes out of the tomb, still wrapped up, looking at Jesus like, “We need to have a conversation. Next time, a little earlier would have been helpful.”

And from that day on, every time Jesus comes near him, Lazarus probably takes two steps back like, “No more miracles for me, please. I’m good.” In fact, imagine people asking Lazarus, “So, what was it like?” And Lazarus says, “I don’t want to talk about it. I had closure. I had peace. And then He called me back.”

Jokes apart, that is where the Gospel quietly shifts the scene. From the shock of being called out of death, to the stillness of a home filled with life again. And there is something even deeper happening in that moment, something easy to miss if we move too quickly.

Just a few days earlier, that same house would have carried the memory of death. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. In fact, Martha had said very honestly, “Lord, by now there will be a stench.” That is what death does. It leaves behind an odor that cannot be hidden. It lingers. It announces that something has ended.

And now, in the very same place, another scent fills the air. Not the stench of death, but the fragrance of love. It is almost as if one has replaced the other. What was once a house marked by loss is now filled with something beautiful, something life-giving, something that reaches everyone in the room. And Mary does not argue with death, she does not explain it away, she simply answers it with something stronger. Fragrance.

And yet, there is a quiet tension here. Because while the house smells of life, Mary’s gesture is also pointing toward another death, Jesus’ own burial. Without fully explaining it, she seems to sense what is coming. Others are still celebrating, still enjoying the moment, but she has already stepped into a deeper awareness.

That is what makes her act so powerful. It is not just gratitude for what has happened. It is a love that prepares for what is about to happen. A love that does not wait until everything is over.

Because very often, we wait too long. We say, “I will express it later. I will say it when the time is right.” And sometimes the time passes. The moment is gone. Mary does not make that mistake.

She gives while she still can. And in doing so, she teaches us something very simple, but very demanding. 

Because in the end, every life carries both realities. There are places where the stench of disappointment, hurt, or loss still lingers. And there are moments where we are given the chance to bring something different. A word. A gesture. A presence. And perhaps that is what this moment is asking of us. Wherever life still carries the scent of something that has died, hope, trust, joy, can we bring a different fragrance? Not by explaining everything. But by loving, fully, while we still have the chance.

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Boby’s inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center today. You can watch the entire Mass on the Family Rosary Video streams channel on YouTube.
  
  
• Join the Rosary (11:30 am ET) and Mass (Noon ET) livestreams on the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page, Monday – Friday. Invite your friends and family to pray with you as well.