The world today is such a different world from what it was just two months ago.
If only we could have stepped back into the world of two months ago, we will realize how much we have taken for granted.
In this short span of two months, we have learned so many new things, things that are uncomfortable and embarrassing, things that are strangely reversed.
We came to know of a new virus, COVID-19, and almost instantly we are immersed into the world of medicine and science. Before this we might not even know the difference between a virus and a bacteria.
Also in a strange and funny way, the lowly toilet paper suddenly became as important as banknotes and cheques.
In some countries, supermarkets are open but the shelves have become strangely become empty.
Also in some countries, people are beginning to be difficult to recognize because almost every other person is wearing a surgical mask. So facial recognition on those electronic devices and gadgets will have problems.
And we have learned new terms like social distancing (which sounds like a contradiction of terms) which actually means physical distancing, and which is also now known as safe distancing. We also now know how long one meter is.
We have also come to know of other terms like Stay-Home-Notice, Leave-of-absence, Quarantine Order, Etc.
Indeed the world today is so much different from the world of two months ago.
And for all of us, our world will change one day. It is that day when we close our eyes to this world.
And that was the case with Lazarus. His illness became mortal and he eventually closed his eyes to this world as death wrapped up his life in this world.
In the darkness of the tomb, all life is absent and the only thing present is the stench of death and decay.
Death has the force to separate the dead from the living and that distance is final.
We too feel a bit of that distancing as we are advised to stay indoors and not to go out unnecessary.
This mode of life is certainly a far distant from what we were used to two months ago.
We may feel that as our movements are becoming restricted, things are also rather distant from us
But not everything is so distant ….
Sunrise is not distant
Love is not distant
Family time is not distant
Kindness is not distant
Creativity is not distant
Learning is not distant
Conversation is not distant
Imagining is not distant
Reading is not distant
Relationship is not distant
Praying is not distant
Meditation is not distant
Resting is not distant
Work from home is not distant
Hope is not distant
Cherish what we have.
Safe-distancing and restrictions are opportunities to do what we always wanted to do.
And as Jesus called out to Lazarus with those four words, “Lazarus, here! Come out!”, it is also a call to us.
Jesus calls us by name, calls us to look at Him and to come towards Him.
Jesus is our Life and He is the Resurrection.
When we keep our eyes on Him and walk towards Him, we too will be able to walk out of the darkness of fear and death and into the light of life.
It is having the hope in Jesus who is our light of life that we have the courage to keep walking in the darkness.
And as we walk on, may this be our reflection:
When all this has passed, I will never take for granted again, a coffee with a friend, exercising in the park, going to social events, going for Mass on Sundays or even weekdays, full shelves of food at the supermarket.
I will not take for granted going to a restaurant for a meal, a simple handshake and to say hello, and to sit comfortably next to each other.
I know that when this has passed, the world will be different. I hope and I pray that it will be a kinder world, a more thankful world and a world closer to God.