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	WORTH FIGHTING FOR

The Gospel

JOHN 11:28-45

[After Lazarus died,] Martha called her sister Mary, saying, “The teacher is here and is asking for you.” As soon as Mary heard this, she rose quickly and went to him. … When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.” … Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.” Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

The Media "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" final session

Harry Potter in the movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" continued his fifth year in the school that he had come to love, namely Hogwarts. He continued his friendship with Ron and Hermione. In many ways, it was just another year at school, made difficult because of people like Dolores Umbridge and the incessant Ministry of Magic. But one thing kept occupying his mind--even though most people did not believe him: Voldemort was alive; and further, Harry would have to face him some day in a battle to the death. Even as he understood that ominous fact of life, however, Harry knew that he had an advantage. As he said, "We've got something he doesn't have. We've got something worth fighting for." What was that something, that which would be the determining element, no matter what the final outcome? In the movie, Harry tells Voldemort directly--"You're the weak one. You'll never know love or friendship, and I feel sorry for you."

One of the few times that the Christian Scriptures speak of friendship is in the context of Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. Evidently, Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary had established a close relationship sometime during Jesus’ public ministry. Judging from the evangelist John’s analysis of the friendship, it was one based on openness and awareness of each other’s needs. During this crisis in their lives, Jesus showed his love and friendship toward Lazarus, Martha and Mary.

An extremely important insight of teachers and sociologists who study young people is this: "Tell me who their friends are, and I will tell you who they are." Guided by the desire to be like their friends in as many ways as possible, usually young people will adapt to the ways of their friends. If their ways are good, then the young person will be good. If the ways of their friends do not meet the standards of good behavior, usually the young person will fall short of a hoped-for conduct.

Harry Potter knew that he had an incredible task in front of him--facing something that ultimately could destroy his life. But he also knew that he had the love and friendship of people who were close to him, people who were good and caring. It was a consolation as he had to face something more evil than anyone could imagine. More than that, perhaps it was the only thing that he needed in order to survive. It was what made his life worth fighting for.

THOUGHT

What are the most important characteristics of “friendship” that one friend should have for another?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son gave us the example of friendship here on earth with his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Help us understand this virtue and live as true friends with the people around us. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike