An image that can give rise to some fright is that of a tomb. Showing up in Halloween settings and in horror movies, it suggests things like darkness and entrapment.

A tomb figures very centrally in John’s gospel, the tomb of Lazarus. Martha, Mary, the crowd, and a very troubled Jesus have assembled at the site. Telling the bystanders to remove the tombstone, Jesus speaks out loudly to His Father. In then in an even sharper tone, he shouts those famous words: “Lazarus, come out!” Here is Jesus, at one with His Father, calling into a tomb and bringing the dead person back to life!

This miracle has resonated with many believers, especially when they feel trapped in hopeless situations.

At such a time, followers have been known to take up a practice known as prayer of the imagination, visualizing themselves a part of this scene at the tomb of Lazarus.

Standing there with the others, can the person hear the voice of Jesus as he speaks to His Father? And then, take in Jesus’ shout: “Come Out, Lazarus!” Come out from whatever it is that is binding me – or from whatever no-exit situations are happening in the world around me.

Over the centuries, countless suffering and entombed believers have done just this – imaginatively entered this stark setting and heard the healing voice of the Savior speak forcefully to them – and to us. There’s no guarantee that the situation will right itself immediately. But the person praying in this way stands to grow more confident in the life-giving presence which the Lord Jesus brings to all the conditions of life.

And hasn’t such trustful prayer been a mark of Vincent’s Family all along as it has stepped into various tomb-like situations among the poor? In such times, hasn’t that Vincentian service given off its own echo of the Lord’s ringing summons, “Come Out, Lazarus!”