Greetings on this the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
Readings: 1 John 4:7-16; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11; John 11:19-27
Summary
In using the lectionary, Wednesdays can often be referred to as Hinge Day. Hinge as in Turning Point. In this case, our daily reading focus shifts from parables to the end goals (Love, Life Now, and Life Forever).
Love
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God (1 Jn 4:7).
The NABRE commentary on the First Letter of John says: Love as we share in it testifies to the nature of God and to his presence in our lives. One who loves shows that one is a child of God and knows God, for God’s very being is love; one without love is without God. The revelation of the nature of God’s love is found in the free gift of his Son to us, so that we may share life with God and be delivered from our sins. The love we have for one another must be of the same sort: authentic, merciful; this unique Christian love is our proof that we know God and can “see” the invisible God. (See https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?7=#70004007)
Life Now
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.” (In the larger story) And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice,* “Lazarus, come out!” (Jn 11:21-22, 43).
Noting that for Martha everything is refactored (life, grief, hope).
Life Forever
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.”
Reflection
The parables help us think differently. The turning point is encountering the big questions and listening carefully to the Lord’s response to them.
- Love is the only rational way to live.
- We will die.
- We have hope for the quality of our life now and for the beauty of our life after this life.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.
This hinge changes everything.
Martha and Mary encounter the questions in one big event, Lazarus’ ‘untimely’ death (probably a young guy). For most of us these things happen over an extended period of time but still – same!
Personal Reflection
I was helping someone with investment goals yesterday and again today. It’s an involved process.
So many questions!
- What do you have?
- What are your goals and needs?
- How much time do you have?
- What can you use to prepare for the future?
Not to mix these things together (finance and spirituality) but to use it to help us make the turning point.
- We have love that is from God.
- We have a life worthy of honest living.
- We have the promise of the Resurrection.
Every investment reveals what future we believe is worth preparing for.
So how do I invest my life?
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0729-memorial-martha.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry