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| July 2009 Readings |
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July 29, 2009, Wednesday St. Martha Read: Ex 34:29-35 Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42 "When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him, while Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. Even now, I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask of him." (Jn. 11:20-21)This family (Lazarus, Martha and Mary — brother and sisters) in Bethany was obviously very close to Jesus. Bethany is very close to Jerusalem, the Holy City, and on His many journeys to and from Galilee, Jesus must have stayed, along with His entire retinue of apostles and disciples, with this rather well-off and generous family. Jesus had great affection for those of this house. Because of this, when Lazarus took ill, they sent an envoy with the message: "Lord, the one you love is sick..." (3)But Jesus deliberately did not respond urgently to the plea for help: He stayed on where he was for two days more. (6)Martha, upset over the death of her brother, made this simple yet powerful protest: "Lord, if you had been here my brother would never have died."For her and her sister, there was no fixing what had happened. "Lazarus is dead. For your sakes I am glad I was not there, that you may come to believe." (14-15)Jesus raised Lazarus when He Himself was not far off from His own death. He raised Him to show His power over death and to ready His disciples for His coming Resurrection.Martha showed her great faith in the Lord's power. She was rewarded indeed with the return of her brother. Reflection and commentary Psalm 71:16 "I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord; O God, I will tell of your singular justice." |
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