29 July 2023 | Memorial of Saints Martha Mary and Lazarus

 

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Gospel Jn 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary

to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,

she went to meet him;

but Mary sat at home.

Martha said to Jesus,

"Lord, if you had been here,

my brother would not have died.

But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,

God will give you."

Jesus said to her,

"Your brother will rise."

Martha said to him,

"I know he will rise,

in the resurrection on the last day."

Jesus told her,

"I am the resurrection and the life;

whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,

and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

Do you believe this?"

She said to him, "Yes, Lord.

I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,

the one who is coming into the world."

Reflections: 

Martha is in deep sorrow at the loss of her brother. She comes forward to meet Jesus while Mary is seen seated in the house. Also the evangelist Luke depicts Mary as seated at the feet of the Lord, while Martha was busy with serving. No doubt, Martha is in pain but her faith in the Lord is even greater,“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” This is a perfect confession of faith made by Martha. Jesus intends to draw Martha to a deeper level of faith. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Wherever Jesus is, there is life that never ends. Those who live with true faith in Jesus have already passed from death to life.

Activity: 

Repeat to yourself, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”