Sunday’s Coming

Life after death (John 11:1-45)

When the bottom drops out of our world, I think most of us find ourselves preferring the old status quo.

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

Less than three weeks before last Christmas, two beloved church members died within a day of each other. Suddenly, the season of hope, peace, joy, and love descended into darkness, disruption, pain, and grief. Instead of taking the road to Bethlehem’s manger, we found ourselves at the foot of the cross preparing to march to the tomb.