Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 All Saints Day


St. John 11:11-27
V.25 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

All Saints Day challenges us to lead a holy and obedient life before God. One of the inspirational quotes from Mother Teresa is that “Holiness is not the luxury of a few people, but a simple duty for you and me.” We are all called to become saints, and we can accomplish that by striving to follow God’s commands and being united with Him in love and obedience.

The familiar and heart-touching experience of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus is here for our meditation. For many Christians, this is one of the most affectionate passages in the New Testament; Jesus raises Lazarus from death. Friendship with Jesus was a blessing for these siblings. But when Lazarus was seriously sick, the sisters informed Jesus. Their expectation and hope were that Jesus would come and heal him. But Jesus waited for the appointed time. The misery of diseases and crises often prompt us to earnestly seek God’s help. But God’s timing often goes against our calculations. Here, since Jesus did not come, Lazarus died, and the family buried him. On the fourth day, when Jesus arrives, mourning was still taking place. It is believed that after three days, the spirit will go from the body. Mary and Martha had to undergo deep mourning and experience the hard reality of the death of their brother.

In his own hour, Jesus appears. He talks to the sisters and reminds them that “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”Martha and Mary still love and honor Jesus, though they are disappointed that he did not come before their brother’s death. Martha even said, God would grant even now, whatever you ask God. Jesus is deeply involved with them in their grief. He too expresses his love and empathy and he too weeps. Jesus identifies with them in their agony. The sisters put their trust in Jesus as Messiah. A deep personal relationship did not break here, it continues. After this, Jesus raises Lazarus from death and brings him back to life. God of possibility encounters the impossible moments in life. When expectations do not happen and thinking that all is over, still believe that “if you believe, you will see the glory of God.” Can we be good friends of Jesus, like the family of Bethany? This friend will never let us down in life. Those who believe in him shall not be put to shame.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, make me a good friend of yours. May I always share my time, talents, and love with you. Fill me with your spirit, Amen.

Thought of the Day
“Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” (St. Thomas More)

Mrs. Liba Varghese
W/o Rev. Sam Philip, Dharma Jyoti Vidya Peeth Seminary, Faridabad

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