Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was the one of whom the Jews said, "See how much he loved him." In their sight Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.

Legends abound about the life of Lazarus after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is supposed to have left a written account of what he saw in the next world before he was called back to life. Some say he followed Peter into Syria. Another story is that despite being put into a leaking boat by the Jews at Jaffa, he, his sisters and others landed safely in Cyprus. There he died peacefully after serving as bishop for 30 years.

A church was built in his honor in Constantinople and some of his reputed relics were transferred there in 890. A Western legend has the oarless boat arriving in Gaul. There he was bishop of Marseilles, was martyred after making a number of converts and was buried in a cave. His relics were transferred to the new cathedral in Autun in 1146.

It is certain there was early devotion to the saint. Around the year 390, the pilgrim lady Etheria talks of the procession that took place on the

Saturday before Palm Sunday at the tomb where Lazarus had been raised from the dead. In the West, Passion Sunday was called Dominica de Lazaro, and Augustine tells us that in Africa the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus was read at the office of Palm Sunday.

Here is the second installment in a series on the four gospels by noted theologian and storyteller John Shea. Using selected passages from the Gospel of Mark, Shea explores that gospel's insights into the human condition and the spiritual message of Jesus for people today. Shea uses a unique method of working with the scriptural texts in ways that are "preachable, teachable and personal." No matter how often you have read, studied, meditated or preached on the Gospel of Mark, listening to John Shea will bring scripture, spirituality and theology together in new, refreshing and rewarding ways. An ideal companion for lectionary year B. Total Running Time: 4 hours, 7 minutes.