S3 E25: Unbind Them and Let Them Go: The Resurrection of Lazarus and Us

In this this week's episode, Christy Granda leads us on a journey from a playful Barbie Day celebration in the Faith Formation Office to the profound mystery of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Exploring the two definitions of resurrection—revitalization and the literal restoration of a dead person to life—Christy reflects on what we know (and don't know) about Lazarus: a man who hosted Jesus, lived with his two sisters, became gravely ill, and experienced the final reality of death. Yet Lazarus is silent in Scripture, leaving us to imagine his very human life of good days and bad days, faithful moments and slacker moments, family disagreements and local gossip. The focus then shifts to Jesus' curious command after calling Lazarus from the tomb: "Unbind him and let him go." This phrase takes on dual meaning—the physical removal of burial cloths and the spiritual freedom Jesus offers through his own death and resurrection. We are invited to step from the tomb of our failings, tear off whatever binds us, take the hand of Jesus, and go forth into a newly resurrected life.

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Christy was born and raised in Bay City. She met her husband on a blind date and they worked briefly together at Dow when she was a co-op and he was a contractor. Soon after that their work paths diverged as she finished her degree in Elementary Special Education and he continued as a graphic designer. She worked as a Special Education teacher for 32 years before retiring and immediately jumped into her new role as Adult Faith Formation Coordinator. When asked about the differences between working with adults and children she might reply "so far, nobody has tried to kick, bite or scream at me." She and her husband have two adult children and have been members of Blessed Sacrament for the past 20 plus years.