Reflection for Tuesday July 29 Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus: John 11:19-27

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.”

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Reflection:

The story is told of a young man who wandered through life without any clear direction. His days were filled with worldly pleasures—especially drinking—and his heart felt empty. One day, his loving mother, with tears in her eyes, said to him, “My son, if you do not change, you may leave this world earlier than you should.” 

Her words pierced his soul. He looked at her with sincerity and said, “Help me live a new life, Mama.” With faith and hope, his mother replied, “Come with me to Holy Mass every day.” 

He obeyed. Slowly but surely, as grace flowed into his heart through the Eucharist and the Word of God, his life began to change. The darkness lifted, and he began to walk in the light of Christ. His renewed life was a testimony to the power of God’s mercy and the quiet strength of a mother’s love. 

When Lazarus died, his sisters—Martha and Mary—were crushed. Their world seemed to collapse under the weight of grief and loss. But everything changed the moment Jesus arrived. His presence brought light to their darkness. His words brought hope to their despair. And His power brought life where there was death. 

Yes, Jesus raised Lazarus—but more than that, He raised the spirits of Martha and Mary. That encounter with Jesus turned sorrow into joy and despair into renewed faith. 

Do you feel hopeless today? Are you overwhelmed by the burdens of life, weighed down by pain, failure, or sin? Take heart. Jesus is near. 

Just as He visited the home of Martha and Mary, He longs to enter your life today. His presence brings peace. His voice brings healing. His love brings new life. 

No matter how dark your situation may seem, there is hope—and that hope is found in Jesus.

He is not only offering you comfort; He is offering you a new beginning. A fresh start. A renewed life in Him. — Marino J. Dasmarinas