A Family Restored

Jesus eats with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (St. John 12:1-11): this is a family restored. Lazarus had been dead, and Jesus raised him to life. Mary (who is the Magdalene) is treated with contempt, not only by Judas, as also, we recall, had she once been treated by her own sister ("Bid her to help me," St. Luke 10). But Jesus defends her here, and eats with her, and Martha, and Lazarus. The family is restored. So also are we restored, when Jesus welcomes us to his altar. We, with Mary, are reconciled; and we, with Lazarus, are brought to new life with Jesus. The sermon.