Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Once again we see Martha who is always an action figure in the Gospel. She gets things done. She moves. She is not one to sit for very long. In the other reading option for today she is cooking and serving but also filled with anxiety. In that Gospel we learn Mary who waits listening to Jesus has chosen the better part. But Jesus isn’t commenting on her cooking or serving when he speaks to Martha, but only on her anxiousness. Anxiety and worry flow from fear. We pray every Mass in the Eucharistic prayers to be protected from all anxiety.

Anxiety and fear and worry lead us astray. They steal our faith and our peace and eventually take our joy.

 

Physically we know these as stress, and it also has a negative influence on our bodies.

 

Today we see Martha in a different light. She like Peter professes Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah and Lord.

 

Martha here testifies without anxiety at all. Even her concern for her brother is covered, as she professes, she knows that even now Jesus has the power to change things….even bring someone back to life. How confident and convicted in her faith we see her today versus in the optional Gospel at the table.

 

Our takeaway is to ask ourselves where do we spend most of our time?

In anxiety and off the path Jesus set for us. Anxiously getting things done and in a state of fear?

Or in his peace, knowing Jesus can do all things, and nothing is impossible for him.

Let us face the uncertainties and challenges today by giving Jesus our worries and letting go of any fear that controls us. We must give him all of life and worries and decisions.

 

Choose his peace today and trust in him as you venture forth to work, knowing he is beside you.

 

Gospel

John 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.”