In the Book of Jeremiah (13:1-11) we find a reminder to listen to God so that we stay close to Him in our lives. In contrast to the people of Judah who chose to disobey God, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus chose to listen and learn from God, even when they didn’t understand God’s ways.
This holy family of two sisters and a brother became close friends of Jesus and naturally when Lazarus became seriously ill sent for Jesus to heal him. Jesus responds by saying, “This illness is not to end in death, but it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” And instead of leaving immediately, surprisingly he remained in place.
When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days. He’s greeted by Martha who meets him along the way and tells Jesus that He could have prevented his death but with faith says, “(But) even now, I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Even in her grief and most likely disappointment in Jesus; she didn’t lose hope in Him.
Family Crisis
As you think about this moment in this family’s time of crisis, can you see in your family any similarities? First, is there anyone in your family with health concerns? Second, would you be more like Martha or Mary?
Would you be like Martha, the one on the phone or computer trying to find a doctor to help? Or would you be more like Mary, staying behind with a loved one who was ill? Or perhaps at times, you’ve needed to do both. In every family, there are different gifts that God gives us that we bring to moments like these.
The key is first, to help one another to know and love God so that we can have the faith and love for God that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus shared, even in the most difficult time, even when it seemed to some that God had let them down.
Faith and Friendship with Jesus
Jesus’ response to Martha’s belief in Him is to tell her, “Your brother will rise.” And Martha, in faith says, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” This is the moment that Jesus has waited for to reveal “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.”
These words of Jesus are often heard in Funeral Masses, either in the gospel or a moving hymn…as we reflect on them today, let us pray for the faith of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus and for our families to share in this faith and friendship in Jesus as they did.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) at the 30-minute mark on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
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