Church of the
Annunciation

When Mrs. Tina asked the girls and boys what part they want to do for Mass on Sunday, one girl said: “Give the homily.” She sounds like Martha of Bethany. Martha, in the Gospel according to St. Luke, tells Jesus to instruct her sister Mary to help her in the kitchen. Today, in the Gospel according to St. John, Martha, in grief over the death of their brother Lazarus, goes to Jesus with a mild rebuke: “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Jesus engages Martha in a reflection on resurrection. Jesus asserts: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” Martha replies with a profound statement of faith: “I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Martha then goes to get her sister Mary. (Mary is the one who sat at the feet of Jesus listening to his words.) Mary falls to her knees greeting Jesus just as Martha: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She cries. Deeply “perturbed and troubled” Jesus weeps. Once at the place of burial Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb: “Lazarus, come out.” Restored to life, Lazarus steps out still wrapped in cloth. Jesus says: “Untie him and let him go.” Martha expresses her faith and hope. Mary expresses her deep love and sorrow. Jesus expresses his empathy i.e. suffering together. Lazarus is resuscitated and released from confinement. As we prepare for our commemoration of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, Martha, Mary and Lazarus enable us to embrace the reality of death with hope of enjoying eternal life in Jesus Christ -- now and forever.