Gospel: John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42)
Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary, after the death of their brother, to comfort them. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection, at the last day.” But Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, shall live. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha then answered, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”
Reflection:
"I have come to believe that you are the Christ."
Often, we immediately think of Mary at the feet of Jesus and of Martha rushing about in frustration, trying to prepare a meal for their guest. There is a danger that we place Mary’s faith above that of Martha and Lazarus. But they all welcomed Jesus to their home as close friends, who trusted their Master. They all had a deep faith in him, which Martha expresses in the Gospel passage today. “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” It’s a trust that believes that all is possible for the Son of God. Had he arrived earlier, Lazarus would not have died, but even now, Martha believes that he can raise his friend from the dead, which he will do to the glory of God his Father and to give further testimony to the truth that he is Son of God and Saviour. Sometimes Martha and Mary are taken as symbols of the two aspects of Christian life: the active and the contemplative. Both facets need to be evident in the life of every Christian. Our love for the Lord must also be shown in our love for our neighbour.
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