“I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25

       In 2014, we had two deaths in the family. One of my closest uncles died on the dawn of Holy Friday. A couple of months later, my only sister, Aileen, died after years of battling cancer.

       Uncle Myther was a man of the world, a confident, popular guy. His name and picture would occasionally appear in newspapers in the who’s who of his sphere. A day or so before his passing, he turned to the Lord and requested me to pray with him. That day, Jesus became his Savior.

       We were caring for Aileen at the same time. Until her last few months on earth, you would never suspect that she was suffering from stage-four cancer. She was still attending prayer meetings, caring group meetings, and serving in community activities. She was also working at home and in the office. More importantly, she smiled or prayed her way through it all. Even if she was in pain, she’d kneel down for prayer and intercede for others. She pursued and served God the best way she knew how. Losing these two loved ones was a cause of grief to our family. But in both instances, the Lord gave me an eternal perspective. He is our Resurrection and Life. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

Reflection: For whom are you living today? Will you spend eternity with Jesus?

Lord Jesus, I am forever grateful that You are in our past, present and future. Thank You for being my Resurrection and Life! Amen.

Martha may have been a people-pleaser. That was probably why she could not help but serve others. Maybe she avoided sitting at the feet of Jesus and the challenge of having to respond to His Word. She could have other reasons for running around doing things and not sitting down to soak in the presence of Jesus in her house.

Jeremiah 26:1-9

1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the Lord: 2 “Thus says the Lord:  Stand in the court of the house of the Lord and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. 3 Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. 4 Say to them: Thus says the Lord: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you 5 and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not  obey them, 6 I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city which all the nations of the earth shall refer to when cursing another.” 7 Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah finished  speaking all that the Lord bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! 9 Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all  the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14

R: Lord, in your great love, answer me.

4 [5] Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? (R) 7 [8] Since for your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 8 [9] I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, 9 [10] because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. (R) 13 [14] But I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. (R)

To become a disciple of Jesus we need to make a conscious decision to enter into a relationship with Him. This is intentional discipleship. If all Catholics did this, then the Church would be transformed into a hive of activity. The power of the Gospel will be unleashed in the life of the Church.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

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

19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother Lazarus who had died. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 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.”

think: To become a disciple of Jesus we need to make a conscious decision to enter into a relationship with Him.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ester A-4 

MODERN MARTHAS

I read some of the writings of St. Augustine, the great theologian. I came to a passage where he reflected on busy St. Martha and Jesus’ kind correction when she wanted her sister to help her in the kitchen. He wrote: “Our Lord’s words to Martha teach us that, though we labor among the many distractions of this world, we should have but one goal. For we are but travelers on a journey without as yet a fixed abode; we are on our way, not yet in our native land; we are in a state of longing, not yet of enjoyment. But let us continue our way, and continue without sloth or respite, so that we may ultimately arrive at our destination.”

       This is a valid reminder for us busy modern people. How many hours a day do we spend for activities and how many minutes for the Lord? Many spend nearly all their time for what is passing and not for what will last forever. Even on a Sunday, the Day of the Lord, many do not have enough time for the Lord. Many spend their Sundays in movie houses and noisy malls. Some at least rush to attend Mass, often coming late and leave after communion. I wonder how the Lord feels about this. He is there for us 24/7 — He cares for us and offers His love and compassion that we may be able to pass safely through this often dangerous times. And yet how much would it help us on our journey to our eternal home if only we would interrupt our busy schedules, pause for a while, and turn our thoughts and hearts to God who is not only our origin but also our goal? It would be so much beneficial for our relationship with the Lord if we would show more our gratitude for His being always with us by spending more time with Him. As our bodies need daily times of rest, so our souls also need times to have a rest at the feet of the Lord. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTION: How much time do you spend each day for activities and how much time in the presence of the Lord?

Lord, thank You for reminding me today to spend more time with You. Help me to have the courage not to let activities become more important than spending time with You. Amen.