Tuesday of the 17th week in ordinary time

Exodus 33: 7-11:34:5b-9.28   John 11: 19-27

Theme: Do you believe?

Today the church celebrates the memorial of Saints Matha, Mary and Lazarus, friends of Jesus. This family was very close to Jesus, and when their brother Lazarus died Jesus brought him back to life. The faith that was exhibited by the sisters when Jesus visited them after the death of Lazarus is worthy of emulation. In the life of Mary and Matha, we also see the two sides of our discipleship as followers of Christ, the physical and the spiritual. Today’s celebration that includes Mary and Lazarus, was introduced by Pope Francis on the 26^th of January 2021, instead of the usual celebration of the memorial of saint Matha on the 29^th of July.

Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s celebration encourages us to also cultivate this type of friendship with Jesus, it is very possible, and he is open to accept our hand of friendship, whenever we come to him. He never rejects anyone that comes to him with a sincere heart and never think that you are not good enough to be his friend. All you need to do is to take that first step of faith and see him take it up from there. I want you to know that if you are sincere with him, he has the power to make a saint out of a sinner. We see that repeatedly in the lives of some of the saints we celebrate today in the church. The two people that readily comes to mind right now is St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Paul. The most important thing is our openness and sincere repentance.

In the gospel reading of today from St. John, we see the discussion between Jesus and matter, at the end of which Jesus asked her, do you believe? In the same way Jesus is asking all of us today, do you believe that he has power over that situation in your life that has overwhelmed you? No matter what the situation may be, it may be your finances, family, your faith, your health and so many other challenges that we face in life. The God who raised Lazarus from the dead can solve that problem. The main thing is that you must answer this question as an individual, DO YOU BELIEVE? A positive answer to this question means a lot, we see that in the case of Lazarus. May God continue to strengthen our faith, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.