GOD’S WORD
July 29, 2016 (Friday) 17th Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Jer 26:1-9 (or 1 Jn 4:7-16)
At the beginning of the reign of Judah's king Jehoiakim son of Josiah, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah: Yahweh says this, “Stand in the courtyard of Yahweh's house and say to all who come from the towns of Judah to worship in Yahweh's house—all that I command you to say; do not omit anything! Perhaps they will listen to you. Perhaps each one will turn from his wicked ways. Then I will change my mind and forget the destruction that I have planned to inflict on them because of their wicked deeds. Tell them: This is what Yahweh says: “You have not obeyed me and you have failed to walk according to my law which I have set before you. You have not heeded my servants, the prophets, whom I have persistently sent to you. If you stubbornly close your ears to them, I will treat this house of mine as I treated the Sanctuary of Shiloh and let all the nations see that Jerusalem is a cursed city.”
The priests, the prophets and all the people heard what Jeremiah said in Yahweh's house. When Jeremiah finished saying all that Yahweh had commanded, he was besieged by the priests and prophets saying, “You are bound to die! How dare you speak in Yahweh's Name telling us that this house will be treated like Shiloh and this city is to become a deserted ruin.” And all the people Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 (or Lk 10:38-42)
Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary, after the death of their brother, to comfort them.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection, at the last day.” But Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection. Whoever believes in me, though he die, shall live. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Martha then answered, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” Reflection:
About today’s saint, Martha of Bethany, we learn from the pen of the evangelist John that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (Jn 11:5). And today’s gospel reading shows us how Martha was at bottom a great soul and a great believer. Martha’s faith in Jesus was as solid as that of Peter the Rock—with the difference that she was never to betray her Master, as Peter did when the chips were down. No wonder Jesus loved her so much!