The LORD secures justice and the rights of all the oppressed. He has made known his ways to Moses, and his deeds to the children of Israel. The Lord is kind and merciful.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 11:19-27, today's readings).

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.”

The dialogue between Jesus and Martha deepens as Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise. Martha shows confidence in the resurrection, saying, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus takes Martha's confidence in him further when he asks her if she believes in him. “I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus tells her. "Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die." Martha's profession of faith is an example for all of confidence in God's mercy. She says, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Jesus, identifying himself as the resurrection and the life, refers to the ultimate victory over sin and death in his coming resurrection.

God, help me trust in your mercy. As I consider the example of Martha's faith in Christ, the resurrection and the life, grant me the opportunity today to express confidence in you as Martha did when she said, "But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Let me come to share more and more in that same confidence Martha expresses in the hope of the resurrection. Martha professed her faith by saying that Christ is "the one who is coming into the world.” Teach me, Lord, to realize you are present in every moment of the day even as you prepare me for the life of the world to come.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.