Hello everyone! Welcome to my Substack, Loved Like Lazarus. I think by the title, you might have a bit of an idea of what this Substack will entail. Let’s see if you can “unbind” it.
When I hear of Lazarus I first think of the Bible verse, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). It is the shortest sentence in the Bible and I think it sums up what Jesus came into the world for. He came to love us and to save us. Jesus loved Lazarus and he ended up saving him in the most spectacular way. Raising him from the dead!
Jesus weeps at every hardship that comes to us from the fall, every hardship that befalls on us from others and every hardship that stems from our sin. When we die in our sin and grope in the darkness, He is there for us and calls us out by name. “Lazarus come out….. unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:44-45).
This story of Lazarus is very personal for me. When I was 19, I had a nervous breakdown in college. I didn’t sleep for a week and fell into a deep depression. I had to withdraw from school and went limping home to live with my parents. I felt that my life was over. My mom encouraged me to meet with our parish priest for some guidance. We had a few talks and they helped. But what stuck with me is what he said to me while I walking out his office door. He said, “the story of Lazarus is going to be a big part of your life.” I thought that was odd. But on pondering it I took it to mean I am lost and dead in the tomb of my depression. Only Jesus can call to have the stone rolled away, call me out by name and have me unbound and set free. I took solace that this would happen. I just needed to hope and trust in God. My mental health has been a long up and down rollercoaster. It took until I was 32 years old to be at a place where I would consider myself unbound.
I hope you stick around and continue reading my posts. I worry the first few essays will come off as a “pity party.” Haha. But I have to set the stage for the kwazy or else some of you might say, “Bro, do you even lift?”
I am picturing this Substack to start off as a spiritual/mental health duo. But as of today, editing this post several months in, it is mostly just stories about my life and interests. Hopefully all of my reading, listening to podcasts and watching YouTube videos on all things Catholic will regurgitate itself onto paper. Jesus take the Wheel!!! Call me out if I say anything heretical.
We are all Lazaruses…. Lazari…. Whatever…. Jesus loves us, he calls to us, he sets us free and he saves us. Just read John chapter 11 already!
Favorite dad joke?
Have you ever experienced feeling dead and in a tomb? How did Jesus rescue you?
Favorite Catholic Podcast?
Every joke Walther tells
Regularly within my shortcomings
Barbatus... obviously
1. I can't narrow it down to one.
2. Yes. He extended an invitation through I friend I trusted.
3. I'd say Pints with Aquinas but I also have a lot of love for The Poco a Poco Podcast and the early episodes of Catholic Stuff You Should Know.