GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 29TH JULY 2016
FRIDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARTHA)
1ST READING: Jeremiah 26:1-9
PSALM: Psalm 69: 5, 8-10, 14
GOSPEL: John 11:19-27
THEME: A CANDLE IN THE DARK
With spontaneity and alacrity we would usually light a candle, pick a torchlight or find an alternative source of light when electrical power unexpectedly goes off at night. Our lighted candles enable us to move on in spite of the darkness that engulfs us.
The death of Lazarus must have been a dark moment in the life of Martha. She apparently did everything possible to save his brother from dying (cf. Jn 11:3). However, when the unexpected happened and the sun in her personal world was engulfed by a thick dark cloud, she picked up her lighted candle of faith and held on to it.
In the Gospel text for today, Martha makes series of statements of faith when Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, four days after the death of Lazarus. She said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him” (Jn 11:21-22).
She goes ahead and professes her faith in the resurrection with these words, “I know that he (Lazarus) will rise again in the resurrection on the last day”(Jn 11:24). To Jesus himself, she said, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (Jn 11:27). She never lost her faith when the worst happened to her. She battled with doubts (cf. Jn. 11:39-40) and yet she kept holding on. Her faith in Jesus was rewarded with the raising of Lazarus from the dead (cf. Jn. 11:43-44).
Sometimes in life things go wrong and everything becomes gloomy and bleak. In such moments, there seem to be an instinctive impulse to drop one’s faith, stop praying, stop reading the Bible, stop going to Church etc. However, Martha, whose memory we recall today, teaches us a different attitude and approach. She teaches us that the gift of faith is given in view of such moments. When the worst happens, hold on to your faith, do not drop it. Faith gives light when everything is dark.
Eternal Father, we bring before your throne of grace every child of yours going through the dark night of anguish and hopelessness. May the light of faith shine on their path. Raise them up from the valley of the shadow of death and grant them the grace of tenacity and endurance to persevere until your glory shows forth in their lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray with thanksgiving. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)