Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

Breathing is an involuntary bodily function; our body just does it for us for as long as we live.  Our intricate bodily mechanisms, when functioning correctly, work in concert to allow us to breathe in the outside air, convert the air to the appropriate level of oxygen that the body needs, and distribute this oxygen appropriately as required throughout the body.  If we were to take the time to study in detail this intricate process, we would be inspired to pause in this awareness of God’s magnificent miracle of creation – us, our human body – breathing in God’s peace, breathing out God’s love for all creation.

Thankfully, medical technology is able to provide an artificial means of breathing at times of critical illness such as for those millions suffering from the COVID-19; restoring them to healthy breathing is the critical goal.  So many lives are compromised by breathing disorders.  Asthma sufferers are equipped with life or death medications and must acquire special techniques to remain calm until the spasmodic attack can be relieved and the lungs can be freed of the constriction that blocks normal inhalation and exhalation.  Cystic fibrosis is a disease that attacks the lungs by producing thick mucus that obstructs airways.  A near choking or near drowning experience, not being able to get our breath, is an experience never to be forgotten.  Without breathing, our vital organs are quickly and irreparably damaged.  Breathing is the essence of life.  Take a deep breath and feel the sense of peace that fills your soul and body.

And yet, in times of difficulty, such as in these days of health concern and financial uncertainty, we become aware that the world is figuratively and physically holding its breath.  Every day’s events heighten our awareness of the necessities of our interconnectedness and the repercussions of having that interconnectedness so limited.  Our fears are inhibiting our ability to breathe; much like the spasmodic attacks of asthma, our bodies are tense and constricted.  In many cases, anger and frustration have obstructed our ability to breathe in the peace of God and breathe out God’s love for all creation.

How interesting, how ironic, is today’s kinda funny Old Testament lesson from the prophet Ezekiel.  “Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.” The prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Israel suffering through exile, choked off from their homeland, struggling to trust God’s providence.  The people say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’

But, says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.  How ironic that in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic, amongst the desperate cry for the mass manufacture of necessary respirators throughout the world, God’s word reminds us to breathe.  God’s word reminds us that it is God who breathes into us the breath of life; it is God who breathed us into creation; it is God who is the essence of life.

Our Gospel account describes the grief and desperation of Martha and Mary of Bethany, dear friends of Jesus, whose brother Lazarus has died.  They had summoned their friend Jesus in whom they had faith could cure their brother’s illness and prevent his death.  The word came to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

Yet, Jesus, their dear friend had taken his time in making his way to their home.  Our lesson from John tells us that he delayed two more days before setting off toward Bethany, a town near Jerusalem where, by this time, Jesus’ ministry had become a great source of tension and controversy.

The sisters were frustrated by Jesus’ delay, which certainly intensified their grief.  Both sisters blurted out their frustration, perhaps anger, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Yet, even in their frustration and grief, maybe anger, they remained steadfast in faith in Jesus “the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” 

And, Jesus restored the earthly life of their brother Lazarus; Lazarus emerged from his tomb – breathing freely no doubt.

We, too, may be frustrated or even angry and grief-stricken that God has not brought about a speedy renewal of “normalcy” in our lives.  The moment-be-moment “breaking news” begins to feel like a funeral dirge; the suffering multiplies with each coming day.  How much longer Lord?    ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’

So, today, hear the word of the LORD, “I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”

At my kitchen sink, next to my trusted bottle of hand wash, is one of those little shiny rocks engraved with the word BREATHE.  As I count to 20 seconds while washing my hands, I remind myself to breathe for those 20 seconds, really breathe God’s peace deeply into my bones.

I don’t know how much longer we will be physically apart; I push away the fear of those of us who might be adversely affected in irreparable ways; but I know we have to keep breathing in God’s peace, restoring life to our dry bones, and breathing out God’s love for all creation.

Repraying the Collect: Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Third Sunday of isolation amidst the Corona Virus Pandemic