GOSPEL POWER l JULY 29, 2022 - Friday of 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 (or Lk 10:38-42) 

19Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

By claiming to be “the resurrection and the life,” Jesus declares that he holds the hope for life-with-God both in the present earthly existence and in the future beyond death. For resurrection is but the extension into eternity of the lifewith-God which begins on earth through faith in his Son. Jesus is the guarantor that our hope to be united with God forever will never be disappointed. The raising of Lazarus is a powerful sign that gives certainty to Jesus’ claim to be “the resurrection and the life.” Ironically, this powerful sign will intensify the hostility towards Jesus and bring about his own death. But just as Lazarus’ death is meant to glorify God, so Jesus’ own death is the hour he has been waiting for to glorify his Father and to be glorified by the Father in return. 

Lord Jesus, grant that we may live in you, die in you, and rise with you in glory. Amen