For the 5th Sunday in Lent, Rev. Cari returned to the pulpit to preach on the 11th chapter of John’s Gospel. This traditional Lenten narrative about the raising of Lazarus has long lived in the hearts and imaginations of Christians as we prepare for the mystery of Easter.

Not the least of which because it foreshadows the very events of the “Great Three Days,” while at the same time showing us a loving Jesus who is emotionally impacted by the death of his friend.

But today, Rev. Cari zeroed right in on a surprising and brand new read on this story. She shared the groundbreaking Biblical scholarship that Elizabeth Schrader has offered the world, in the last years, that turns on the identity of the sister of Lazarus.

To do this, she quotes from a sermon by Diana Butler Bass, shared in summer 2022 at the Wild Goose Festival in which she rolls out Ms. Schrader’s research and its implications.

In a time of uncertainty and change in the church and world, when death seems ever hungry, the hope of this text in its recovered turn is worth paying attention to. Have a listen to Rev. Cari’s sermon, then go on to read Dr. Butler Bass’ original unveiling of this scholarship.