MEMORIAL OF SAINTS MARTHA, MARY, AND LAZARUS - Gospel (John 11:19-27) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” (Jn 11:25)

FIRST READING - Ex 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28

"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face."

A reading from the Book of Exodus

⁷ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. ⁸ And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. ⁹ As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. ¹⁰ Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. ¹¹ The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. ⁶ And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

⁸ Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ⁹ “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

²⁸ Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Ga 11,19-27

 “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God."

✠From the Gospel according to John

¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS MARTHA. MARY. AND LAZARUS - Gospel (John 11:19-27)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. These three saints always closely followed Jesus Christ in proclaiming the Good News, bringing the Word of God to all people. Saint Martha professed with great conviction that Jesus Christ is the God who was to come into the world, the only One who can raise mankind from the dead.

The Word of God today expresses God's love for those who are close to Him, like siblings and dear friends. Jesus Christ is God—almighty and exalted—yet He humbled Himself to form close bonds and friendships with ordinary, humble people, such as the three siblings: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

This image shows us that Jesus Christ is simple and humble in His way of life. He did not present Himself as someone great or powerful in order to command admiration. His simplicity, humility, and self-emptying nature made it easy for people to draw near to Him, befriend Him, and come to believe and recognize Him as Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God—the One who was to come into the world to help humanity come to know the God who holds all power over life.

Saint Martha's profession—“Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” This serves as a reminder to everyone to place absolute trust in Jesus Christ as God, who came into the world to bring salvation to humanity. He is the only One who can bring people back to life, as shown in the resurrection of Lazarus. This demonstrates that those who believe that Jesus Christ is God, who believe that He is the One who brings the dead back to life, will themselves be raised by God to live with Him in the Heavenly Kingdom.

But to attain this, God desires that people have absolute faith and trust in His power and love. Only God can bestow true love and life. Whoever calls upon His name with unwavering faith and trust will receive eternal life and everlasting joy in Heaven with Him. Moreover, when people live according to His teachings, God will also grant them peace and happiness here on earth, in communion with Him.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 July 29h, 2025- Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven