HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINTS MARTHA, LAZARUS AND MARY.
THEME: Am the resurrection and the life.If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live.
BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
1 John 4:7-16
Psalm 33:2-11
John 11:19-27
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the friends of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Martha and Saint Mary were often hosting the Lord at their house while Saint Lazarus was one of those that the Lord resurrected from the dead, after he passed away. The Lord showed His great love to all of them, and revealed the nature of His generous love and compassion.
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In today’s first reading, we hear that, ‘God is love’. These three words express the fullest possible insight into God. At this point in his letter, the author wants to stress not, what he calls, ‘our love for God’, but, as he says, ‘God’s love for us’. He also states that God revealed his identity as ‘Love’, his love for us by sending his Son into the world so that we could have life through him. All authentic love, all self-giving love, is always life-giving for others.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
Todays gospel, gives the impression that Jesus was very close to the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He often found a welcome in their home. They were among his friends. We can forget that because Jesus was fully human he had the same need for human friendship as every other human being. There is an intimacy to the scene in today’s gospel reading that we associate with a gathering of friends. Jesus is welcomed by Martha into her home. She gives expression to her friendship of Jesus by preparing a meal for him. She is evidently a good and generous host. Mary, Martha’s sister, expresses her friendship for Jesus in a different way. She sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to him speaking. Hospitality and friendship can take more than one form. We can be very active on friends’ behalf, such as by preparing a fine meal for them, or we can simply be present to them and listen to them.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear Friends, the gospel reading suggests that Martha did not appreciate the way that Mary was giving expression to her friendship of Jesus. She wanted Jesus to put pressure on Mary to help her in preparing the meal. It is an example of the tensions that can emerge in all close relationships. Jesus shows his love for Martha by addressing her twice by her own name, ‘Martha, Martha’. However, he does not comply with Martha’s request but declares that on this occasion Mary has chosen the better part. Jesus seems to have wanted someone to listen to him more than someone to feed him. The Book of Qoheleth declares that there is a time for everything under the sun. In the light of today’s gospel reading, we might say that ‘there is a time to be still and a time to be busy’. When Jesus entered their home, it was Mary who recognized that it was a time to be still. There are times in our lives when all the Lord wants from us is that we be still in his presence and listen to his word.
Happy Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
FOR MORE HOMILIES CLICK >>>>>