The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that we may need to reflect on how the practice of our faith aligns with deepening our relationship with God.
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| Action and faith |
The reading from the Prophet Jeremiah reveals he complains again and is reassured.
* [15:13–14] Though the wording of these verses is close to that in 17:3–4, the present passage is evidently God’s word to Jeremiah, whereas 17:3–4 is evidently a word of judgment on Judah. It is noteworthy that the references to “you” in the present passage are singular, until a shift to plural in “against you” in the last line; this “you” is then doubtless a reference to both the prophet and his enemies.1
Psalm 59 is a prayer for deliverance from enemies.
* [Psalm 59] A lament in two parts (Ps 59:2–9, 11b–17), each ending in a refrain (Ps 59:10, 18). Both parts alternate prayer for vindication (Ps 59:2–3, 4b–5, 11b–14) with vivid depictions of the psalmist’s enemies (Ps 59:4–5a, 7–8, 15–16). The near curse in Ps 59:12–13 is not a crude desire for revenge but a wish that God’s just rule over human affairs be recognized now.2
In the Gospel of John, Martha confesses Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
* [11:1–44] The raising of Lazarus, the longest continuous narrative in John outside of the passion account, is the climax of the signs. It leads directly to the decision of the Sanhedrin to kill Jesus. The theme of life predominates. Lazarus is a token of the real life that Jesus dead and raised will give to all who believe in him. Johannine irony is found in the fact that Jesus’ gift of life leads to his own death. The story is not found in the synoptics, but cf. Mk 5:21 and parallels; Lk 7:11–17. There are also parallels between this story and Luke’s parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus (Lk 16:19–31). In both a man named Lazarus dies; in Luke, there is a request that he return to convince his contemporaries of the need for faith and repentance, while in John, Lazarus does return and some believe but others do not.3
In the alternate Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus visits Martha and Mary.
* [10:38–42] The story of Martha and Mary further illustrates the importance of hearing the words of the teacher and the concern with women in Luke.4
Tamora Whitney can relate to Martha. She’s doing all the necessary stuff, serving, making sure everyone is fed, but she feels like she’s missing out on some good stuff. Mary gets to sit and enjoy the guests while Martha makes sure the guests are provided for. We end today with Martha’s profession of faith.
I can’t really say we aren’t getting the good stuff, even though the ending of that story is pretty amazing, because the ending we get today is her recognition, and faith, and trust. And the care and service she gives her guest is repaid, and her faith is justified.5
Don Schwager quotes “The Body of Christ needs hearers and doers of the Word,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"'Virtue does not have a single form. In the example of Martha and Mary, there is added the busy devotion of the one and the pious attention of the other to the Word of God, which, if it agrees with faith, is preferred even to the very works, as it is written: 'Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.' So let us also strive to have what no one can take away from us, so that not careless but diligent hearing may be granted to us. For even the seeds of the heavenly Word itself are likely to be taken away if they are sowed by the wayside (Luke 8:5,12). Let the desire for wisdom lead you as it did Mary. It is a greater and more perfect work. Do not let service divert the knowledge of the heavenly Word... Nor is Martha rebuked in her good serving, but Mary is preferred because she has chosen the better part for herself, for Jesus abounds with many blessings and bestows many gifts. And therefore the wiser chooses what she perceives as foremost."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.83-86)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 11:19-27 notes that in today’s Gospel, we meet a more mature Martha. She’s not so overcome by worry. She recognizes that God is working through Jesus, and she believes that God will give Jesus whatever he asks (John 11:22). She hasn’t yet grasped that he can raise Lazarus from the dead, but she believes that Jesus is the Messiah. She recognizes that he comes from God, and this strengthens her faith.
Faith is more than passively trusting in God though. It’s actively believing that he can do miracles. Martha can help you understand this type of faith. She came to believe that Jesus could do anything, and she told him so. You can do that too, by asking God for help in a challenging situation. Ask him for a miracle: healing for a loved one, the conversion of a friend, a new job. Ask in confidence, but also trust that Jesus in his wisdom will answer your prayer in the best possible way.7
Friar Jude Winkler explains the challenges faced by Jeremiah and his family in following the directives in Deuteronomy. Jesus promises us a cross to learn love. The powerful profession of faith by a woman in John and the need for our attention to our guests in Luke are underlined by Friar Jude.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh (born 1926) is one of the world’s most influential spiritual teachers. During the Vietnam War, his work for peace brought him into friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Merton, and other Christians who shared his belief that peace must be who we are, not just something we demand.
Our world is something like a small boat. Compared with the cosmos, our planet is a very small boat. We are about to panic because our situation is no better than the situation of the small boat in the sea. . . . Humankind has become a very dangerous species. We need people who can sit still and be able to smile, who can walk peacefully. We need people like that in order to save us. Mahayana Buddhism says that you are that person. . . .When you understand, you cannot help but love. . . . To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion. When you understand, you love. And when you love, you naturally act in a way that can relieve the suffering of people.8
In peace, our faith is guided by the Spirit to balance our contemplation and works.
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