Open the Word: Are we our bodies?

In the 2007 episode of Dr Who called ‘The Lazarus experiment’, Dr Who says ‘facing death is part of being human — you can’t change that’. In what way might meditating on our own deaths be a profitable thing to do? After all ancient cathedrals are full of images of cadavers and skeletons to remind people that ‘you are dust, and to dust you shall return’. (Genesis 3.19)

When our identity becomes solely attached to our physical bodies we can become terrified of how we look or how fit we are, fearful of wrinkles or cellulite! And when we die we have little concept of that part of us which is truly ourselves, living on — how could it without its body? Jesus doesn’t seem afraid of real physical bodies — and not just perfect ones either, he doesn’t even seem to mind a decaying corpse. St Paul struggles to explain what happens after death, but Jesus’ focus seems to be on the way we live our lives and treat each other here and now, with a simple reassurance that there will be a place for us with him in heaven.

Perhaps the best way to enter this story of Lazarus is to pray it in the Ignatian style, using the imagination. After the Gospel has been read, Invite people to close their eyes and imagine they are present with the crowd at the tomb of Lazarus. Encouraging them to spend time hearing the sounds, smelling the smells, feeling the heat and dust, seeing the scene before them as if they were there. Invite people in their minds to take on the role of one of the main characters, Mary, Martha or Lazarus — or maybe a by-stander to the events. Read the passage again gently and, as the story unfolds, encourage people to engage with Jesus personally, sharing with him how they are feeling and having a conversation with him. Why didn’t he come straight away? What’s so special about Lazarus? Or perhaps they will hear Jesus call their own name — call them to come forth into life. Allow time for returning from what, for some people, can be a very powerful experience with God and suggest people may like to share with a trusted friend or jot down in a journal what happened for them so that they can return to it another time.

It has been said that the first half of life is about gaining control, becoming independent and successful — and the second half is all about learning to let go of control, being able to accept help, putting success and power in their right place, until we reach the final letting go into God’s arms at death. Perhaps the gift of older age is this wisdom.