MEMORIAL OF STs. MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS/ FRIDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (2)

MEMORIAL OF STs. MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS/ FRIDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: TRUST GOD FOR WHO HE IS.

BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY JULY 29 2022

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. They were friends of our Lord Jesus. Jesus liked to stay in their house at Bethany, whenever He was in Judea. They were very hospitable to him. Hence, Jesus wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus.

In one of the gospel passages for this Memorial (John 11: 19-27), Martha manifested her belief in Christ as the Messiah. When Christ reassured her that her brother Lazarus will live again and that He is the resurrection, Martha responded: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He Who is coming into the world”.

The first reading (Jer 26: 1-9) presents how Jeremiah was attacked in the Temple by the people for preaching the truth of the Word of God to them. How do you react when the Word of God confronts you?
Dear friends, how often do we tend to forget God’s goodness in our lives, especially when confronted by the vicissitudes of life. Unlike the Israelites, Martha remained firm at the death of her brother, Lazarus, declaring: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that even now whatever you ask of God, God will give you”. Can I have such unshakable faith that “God is able”?

I pray as we journey in life today, we will trust God for Who God is, and not repose our trust on any ephemeral thing. May our tears be wiped as was done to Martha, and may we testify to the goodness of the Lord. Have a testimony-full day!

Fr. Francis Onwunali