A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to 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.”
Reflection: One of my favorites “Go-To” commentators on the Sacred Scriptures is, Saint Josemaría Escrivá. In his commentary on today’s gospel, he specifically referenced verse 21, pointing out the natural affection and confidence with which Martha spoke to Jesus. He noted how Martha, casually reproached Jesus for being away, saying, “Lord, if you had been here…“ Saint Josemaría Escrivá, used this exchange to teach readers, to speak to Jesus with that same intimate, loving friendliness, and trust.
If we listen to Martha’s reproach to Jesus, only with our human ears, at first, this might sound like a complaint, or even a lack of faith. But if we listen, with the ears of our heart, we hear something profoundly beautiful, and important to knowledge. This is the language of raw, unfiltered intimacy. It is the casual, loving boldness, that can only exist between the closest of friends. A friendship that Jesus desires of us, to have with Him.
Several years ago, in one of my visits with incarcerated men, I met a man who was frustrated and disappointed, because he couldn’t remember a prayer, that was mentioned to him at a visit, by a previous volunteer. As I sat with him, I held his hands, I told him to close his eyes, and speak to Jesus, as if he was sitting there with Him, and to speak to Jesus with all his honesty, trust, and feelings, the same as he would, to his closest friend. Among his words, he expressed some profanity. Did God listen to his prayer? It is my humble opinion, that God did. That man prayed to God, with all his heart! His language was that of raw, unfiltered intimacy—an actual massive declaration, of trust. A loving boldness, that can only exist, in a close and true friendship.
How often, do we hold Jesus at arm’s length, in our own prayer lives? We might think, we can only come to Him, when we can recite the perfect words. We filter our prayers, hiding our anger, our doubts, and our deep hurts, because we think God demands a formal, rigid custom. Please, don’t get me wrong, formal prayer is good; however, Jesus wants our hearts, He wants to meet us where we’re at. He invites us, into the exact same intimate, loving friendliness, that He shared with Lazarus’ sister, Martha, at Bethany.
May we have the grace today, to break down the walls of formal distance, in our prayer. Let us approach the tabernacle, or sit in the quiet of our rooms, and speak to Jesus with that same beautiful, loving transparency, as Martha’s in today’s Gospel. Trust Jesus enough, to tell Him everything, exactly as it is, knowing that the Friend who wept at Bethany, is waiting to listen, to comfort, and to heal.
Action for the day: Today, and every time you approach God, in a fervent prayer or simple conversation, consider speaking to Him, with the same loving trust and intimate friendliness, shown by Martha in today’s Gospel when she told him, “Lord, if you had been here…“ Try speaking with total honesty, trusting His timing, and knowing He listens. Consider the following three points:
Honest Prayer
- Tell Jesus how you feel that moment.
- Do not hide your pain or anger.
- Speak to Him like a close friend.
Trusting Jesus
- Remember that God hears every word.
- Believe that He cares when you hurt.
- Accept that His plan is always good.
Growing Closer
- Share your daily worries with him.
- Let your heart rest in His love.
- Walk with Him through every trial, never give up.
Audio Reflection
