We're in Lent, the season of the cross, moving steadily, somberly, week by week, toward the inevitable death of Jesus. You know how the story ends. Which makes it a bit surprising that here, on the fifth Sunday of Lent, the church should place this story, the raising of Lazarus. Shouldn't we wait until after Easter for this one, sometime after the resurrection? Not here in Lent, the season of death? Why would John put the Lazarus story right before Palm Sunday?

No matter, it's a good story. Lazarus is living with the sisters Mary and Martha over in Bethany. You remember Mary. Just before Palm Sunday, she anoints Jesus and wipes his feet with her long, beautiful hair (11:2). But it's Lazarus who is the center of this story, even though he never mutters a single word. So right off you wonde…