we should have an open and trusting heart,

Lord, teach us to see with the eyes of faith.

St. Martha, Mary & Lazarus

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Jeremiah 26:1-9

At the beginning of the reign of Judah’s

king Je­ho­iakim son of Josiah, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah:  Yahweh says this, “Stand in the courtyard of Yah­weh’s House and say to all who come from the towns of Judah to worship in Yahweh’s house – all that I command you to say; do not omit anything! 

Perhaps they will listen to you. Perhaps each one will turn from his wicked ways. Then I will change my mind and forget the destruction that I have planned to in­flict on them because of their wicked deeds.

 

 Tell them: This is what Yahweh says:“You have not obeyed me and you have failed to walk according to my Law which I have set before you.  You have not heeded my servants, the prophets, whom I have persistently sent to you. If you stubbornly close your ears to them, I will treat this House of mine as I treated the sanc­tuary of Shiloh and let all the nations see that Jerusalem is a cursed city.”

 

The priests, the prophets and all the people heard what Jeremiah said in Yahweh’s House. When Jeremiah finished saying all that Yahweh had commanded, he was besieged by the priests and proph­ets saying, “You are bound to die! How dare you speak in Yah­weh’s Name telling us that this House will be treated like Shiloh and this city is to become a deserted ruins.” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the House of Yahweh.

 

Ps 69:5, 8-10, 14

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 11:19-27 (or Luke 10:38-42)

 Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to offer consolation at their brother’s death.

 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him while Mary remained sitting in the house.  And she said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.  ut 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 die, shall live.  hoever 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.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Martha’s Ways

“Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus,”declares John (11:5). This statement tells us of the intimate relationship Jesus had with this family. We have accounts of three visits of Jesus to them (Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-53, & John 12: 1-9).

Martha would have been the life of the party when then all got together. there is something very earthy and deeply sincere about Martha’s interactions with Jesus. She does not hold anything back. She lets Jesus know her mind –as did Abraham and Moses, when they talked to God face to face as frieds did.

In the brief encounter we have between Jesus and Martha, we have a mirror to her soul: she lets Jesus know her disappointment that he didn’t reach early, but she also lets him know that she trusts him to do something even if late. With no hesitation she declares her faith in Christ. How wonderful it is to have such authentic freedom to express ourselves in our prayer before God!