First Reading: (1 John 4:7–16)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 34)
Response: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Gospel: (John 11:19–27)
Reflection
Today is the memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the siblings of Bethany who were friends of Jesus.
Lazarus is described in the Gospel as one whom Jesus loved. Jesus himself called Lazarus “our friend.” And when Lazarus died, Jesus wept. Those standing nearby saw his tears and said, “See how he loved him.”
This tells us something beautiful about our Lord: Jesus does not only want servants; he desires friends.
In John 15:15, Jesus tells his apostles, “I no longer call you servants... I have called you friends.”
What, then, does friendship with Jesus mean?
1. Friendship with Jesus requires deep trust.
Friends share their hearts with one another. They share their hopes, fears, plans, and struggles.
Martha demonstrates this trust when she meets Jesus after Lazarus has died. She does not hide her pain. She tells him plainly, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Yet even in her grief, she says, “Even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
That is faith.
Friendship with Jesus means that we can bring everything to him-our joys, disappointments, fears, questions, and wounds.
2. Friendship with Jesus requires a close relationship.
A relationship cannot grow without time.
Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. He spent time with them. They welcomed him into their home and into their lives.
We, too, must spend time with Jesus.
Do we visit him in the Blessed Sacrament? Do we sit quietly before him? Do we speak to him in prayer? Do we share our hearts with him?
How can we call someone our friend if we never spend time with that person?
If Jesus is truly our friend, we must make time for him.
3. Friendship with Jesus means sharing his mission.
True friendship is not simply about receiving. Friends care for one another and work together.
When we become friends of Jesus, we become participants in his mission. We are called to love, forgive, serve, encourage, and bring his presence into the lives of others.
The first reading gives us the foundation: “God is love.”
If God lives in us, his love must become visible through us.
Today Jesus asks each one of us the same question he asked Martha:
“Do we believe this?”
Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
Do we believe that he is present even when we are experiencing grief?
Do we believe that he remains with us when our prayers seem unanswered?
Martha's response should become our own:
“Yes, Lord. I believe.”
Let us, therefore, make ourselves friends of Jesus.
Let us trust him deeply.
Let us spend time with him.
Let us visit him in the Blessed Sacrament.
Let us open our hearts to him in prayer.
And let us share in his mission of love.
When we make Jesus our friend, we discover that he also desires to make his home with us.
May Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus intercede for us, that we may grow ever closer to Christ and remain faithful friends of Jesus throughout our lives.
Amen 🙏
No comments:
Post a Comment