Incredible stores are often prefaced by the words "Believe it or not…". In the Gospel, Jesus invites the Disciples to believe the incredible truth that God can bring Lazarus back from the dead. Again and again, we must choose whether to believe that Jesus Christ is "the Resurrection and the life".

When we want to say something that is likely to arouse skepticism, we might begin with the words believe it or not. Believe it or not, more people are killed by lightening than… Believe it or not, the number of homeless children in the United States… Believe it or not, in 2004 American Philanthropists gave... Believe it or not, I love you and would do anything for you, any time anywhere… Sometimes the truth is hard to believe, especially when it doesn't square with our knowledge, experience, or senses.

Time after time in today's Scriptures, we are presented with the incredible truth of God's power over evil and death, and seek to believe it or not. In the first Reading, Ezekiel poetically pleads with us to believe in God's power to breathe the spirit of divine life into lifeless people. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, takes a more reasoned approach, convincing us that since God also raised Jesus from the dead. In the Gospel, Jesus is not interested in sweet-talking the Disciples with poetry or convincing them with clever arguments. He simply asks, "DO YOU BELIEVE OR NOT?"

There is one person who is not asked to believe. That person is Lazarus himself. And yet, it is he who is raised from the dead! It seems that God's power over evil and death is not limited by our unbelief. It is, in fact, what brings us to belief. It is the truth, plain and simple, whether we believe it or not.

Every time we say those words, "Yes, Lord, I believe," we are changed. How will you be changed this Easter? What new life or new freedom is waiting to blossom forth? Will others give glory to God when they experience new life?

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT TRUTHS ARE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO BELIEVE?

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