November 20, 2022
Gospel – 7/29/20 – John 11:19-27
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
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.”
The Apostles were asking Jesus why he spoke to the people in parables. Today’s Gospel, I think, is an example of why.
Martha was the sister of Jesus’ best friend, Lazarus. When Lazarus died, the news was carried to Jesus and do you remember what Jesus did upon hearing the news? He stayed where he was. He didn’t jump up and run to Lazarus’ side. He didn’t raise him from afar as he did the official’s servant.
He let Lazarus die without doing a thing. Eventually, he did go and Martha came out to meet him. This woman who knew Jesus intimately from all the hours and days they heard him teach – in their own home – met him on the road.
This is a great example of Knowledge and Wisdom – the difference in the two. Martha, explains that she knows the miracles Jesus worked in healing. She laments the fact Jesus wasn’t there to heal Lazarus before he died.
When Jesus tells her Lazarus will rise, she acknowledges the Resurrection on the last day. She has the knowledge of what Jesus has preached and what he can do.
What was lacking was the Wisdom needed to truly interpret what Jesus could do.
Without the use of parables, because Martha had the knowledge, he explained that that Lazarus, indeed, all who believe in him will be raised.
And then, boys and girls, Jesus raised Lazarus.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 