Let us not grow tired of doing good.

On the Cover: The Raising of Lazarus, Eugène Delacroix, 1845

Eugène Delacroix’s The Raising of Lazarus offers a powerful visual reflection on one of the most striking miracles recorded in the Gospel of John (John 11:1–44).  Painted in 1845, the work portrays the moment when Christ calls Lazarus from the tomb after four days in death.  For Catholics, this miracle is a profound sign of Christ’s authority over death and a foreshadowing of His own Resurrection.  It also points toward the hope of eternal life promised to all who believe in Him.

Eugène Delacroix (1798–1863) was one of the leading painters of the French Romantic movement, a style known for its emphasis on emotion, movement, and vivid color.  Although he is often remembered for historical and literary subjects, he also created works inspired by Sacred Scripture. In the nineteenth century, artists like Delacroix were increasingly drawn to dramatic spiritual themes that allowed them to explore the depth of human response to divine action.  The story of Lazarus, so full of sorrow, hope, and astonishment, provided a perfect subject.

In the painting, Christ stands at the center, calm yet commanding, with His arm raised as He calls Lazarus forth.  The surrounding figures react in different ways: some look on with amazement, others with hesitation or fear.  Lazarus himself, still wrapped in burial cloths, emerges from the tomb as the miracle unfolds before the crowd.  Delacroix carefully arranges these figures to draw the viewer’s attention to the authority of Christ’s word.  The scene captures the very moment when death gives way to life through the power of the Son of God.

Delacroix’s dramatic use of light and color reinforces the spiritual meaning of the event.  Dark shadows surround the tomb, symbolizing the reality of death and mourning, while light falls upon Lazarus as he returns to life.  The flowing garments, expressive gestures, and bold contrasts typical of the Romantic style heighten the emotional intensity of the moment.

For Catholics, the raising of Lazarus also speaks deeply to our sacramental life and our hope in the Resurrection. The Church reads this Gospel during Lent as a preparation for the celebration of Easter, reminding the faithful that Christ is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Just as Lazarus was called from the tomb, Christ calls each of us from sin to new life through grace, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and in the promise of eternal life. Delacroix’s painting invites us to contemplate this mystery and to trust more deeply in the life that Christ offers to the world.