Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 29, 2023 - Saturday in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
[Exod 24:3-8 and John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42]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." Marthat 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." [John]
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2023 STS. MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS
[Exodus 24:3-8 and John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42]
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." Marthat 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." [John]
Poor Martha! The title of this feast day has been changed by the liturgical powers-that-be to now include Mary and Lazarus. But her strong character shines through in either of the two gospel passages offered for this day. The one that is given first, however, is the passage from the Gospel According to John which features the powerful encounter between Martha and Jesus when he comes to mourn (and raise) Lazarus. Martha challenges Jesus twice in this scene. The first challenge comes in the line, Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. The ensuring dialogue leads to Jesus' words, "I AM the resurrection and the life..." Martha's profession of faith is on a part with that of Thomas later on: My Lord and my God. Yet, when everybody goes to the tomb, Martha protests about possible stench and Jesus has to remind her: Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God.
In so many ways, Martha's character is more accessible because she seems to reflect our own reactions to the death of a loved one. Lord, if you have been here my__________would not have died. Jesus pushes us beyond the boundary of physical life to eternal life. Whoever believes in him will live and see the glory of God. Mary and Lazarus do have their roles to play in both gospel passages, but at least Martha's name is given first and, I think, for good reason! AMEN