REFLECTIONS TODAY There is a common opinion that Mary fares better than Martha, for we are more familiar with the story about Martha who busies herself with menial jobs, while Mary chooses to stay with Jesus to listen to his words, when he visits them at Bethany. Jesus himself affirms Mary. But in today’s Gospel reading, we find Martha saying to Jesus, “I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” This is when Jesus asks her if she believes his declaration that he is the resurrection and the life and all who believe in him will never die. Martha’s response is outstanding. In their time of mourning, Martha takes the lead. She goes out to meet Jesus who purposely delays his coming, while her sister Mary just sits at home. Like Mary before, Martha now dialogues deeply with Jesus regarding her faith. Let us not reject persons who may at first not impress us. Time will come for them to shine. Nobody monopolizes goodness and civility. Gospel • John 11:19-27 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother Lazarus, who had died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. 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.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.