St. Martha went out to meet Jesus on the road near her home. At this place on the road, Jesus challenged and graced Martha to believe that He is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25-26). Martha responded by making what is possibly one of the greatest acts of faith ever (Jn 11:27). Thus, this place on the road became a place of faith.
Jesus stopped at this spot (Jn 11:30), and soon Mary, Martha's sister, and many of her friends came to meet Jesus. They all began to weep, and Jesus likewise wept (Jn 11:33, 35). Why was Jesus weeping? He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead. So why would He mourn Lazarus' death? He may have been weeping because of the people's lack of faith. Jesus wept over Jerusalem for this reason on another occasion (Lk 19:41ff). Jesus may have been weeping because Martha's place of faith had so quickly changed into a place lacking faith.
Are there any places of faith in your life where the faith is disappearing? Look at your street, neighborhood, home, and workplace. Are these places of faith? Don't make Jesus cry. Live and profess your faith publicly, freely, and with perseverance.
| PRAYER: | Father, increase my faith (Lk 17:5). |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever believes in Me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in Me will never die." –Jn 11:26 |
| PRAISE: | "Jesus loved Martha" (Jn 11:5). St. Martha evolved into an exemplary disciple of the Lord. We have much to learn from her energetic piety. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College