Deacon Ken’s Reflection on Sunday’s Gospel reading:
JOHN 11:1‑45
Jesus had been preaching in the small towns and villages beyond the Jordan, when he received the news of Lazarus’ sickness. He knew that he would find Lazarus dead when he arrived in Bethany, but he also knew that he was going to perform a great miracle. The village of Bethany was just a little east of Jerusalem on the way to Jericho. The two sisters thought that they had a right to expect help from the Lord. They stepped forward and claimed that help.
We need to realize that a claim upon the power of Christ is the right of every one of his children. Once we have been redeemed by him, we belong to him. The contrast between the two women was very noticeable. Martha was the doer and Mary was the people person. Martha was irritated because Mary was not doing her kind of work. There was a definite clash between drudgery and devotion. Martha was looking more at things instead of person. She was looking at the tasks of the house and all the chores instead of remembering that she was part of a greater partnership of love.
That day her devotion turned into drudgery and Jesus admonished her for overlooking his wants. He wanted her receptivity, her presence, and companionship, but she had other ideas about his wants. So she cleaned and cooked, while Mary listened and conversed with Jesus. He told this to Martha, and he is telling you this very same message today.
Do you place your attention on things instead of people? Do you worry more about what your home looks like when a friend stops by to say hello? Are you afraid to tell a friend about how unhappy you are with your job? Do your children seem like they are drifting away from their faith or family? Jesus shows us tremendous insight in Mary’s ability to talk, listen and wait on the Lord. We need to do this more often. We need to wait on the Lord. He will come to us in many different places and in many different ways. He told the women that he is the resurrection and the life, and we are not to worry.
Is he the resurrection of your life? Martha was an activist and Mary was a contemplative and they both were loved by Jesus. The activist pushes on to new frontiers and the contemplative waits and prays for God’s guidance and direction first. We need them both and Jesus looks to us to be bold and yet prudent in our walk to the kingdom. The Lord knew what he was doing in Lazarus’ life and he knows what he is doing in ours. Listen to him ‑ Listen to him ‑ Listen to him!
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