March 22, 2026 Essay: Anchored in Love and Faith
In this week’s readings, once again, we meet Martha and Mary in the Gospel of John. John highlights actions of love and faith through Martha and Mary’s feelings toward their brother, Lazarus, and their dear friend, Jesus. He also reveals both the human and divine action of love from Jesus towards Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
When Jesus hears of the death of Lazarus, he waits two days and then sets out on the road. Although we may wonder why Jesus did not leave straight away, he needed to wait for things to settle down in Judea. There was upheaval by the Jews towards Jesus, and he needed to make a safe passage with his disciples. I see this as a Kairos moment-in God’s time- he will know when to leave and arrive safely to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
He said to the disciples, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Through death and resurrection, Lazarus was the one who would show them that through his actions, Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah who will suffer, who will die, and who will be resurrected on the third day.
When Martha meets Jesus on the road, she is overcome with emotions. “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.” The fullness of Martha’s love and faith in Jesus and God is palpable. She is a true believer and therefore reminds us that we also can turn to Jesus to comfort us when a beloved family member or friend passes from this life. Martha is anchored in love and faith in Jesus. She is the extrovert who goes to meet Jesus while Mary, the introvert, is waiting at home weeping and waiting for the Lord to arrive. She weeps at Jesus’ feet and is anchored in love and faith for the one she knows is the Lord. Martha and Mary express different ways on how one might grieve the loss of someone who is beloved. They portray the both/and of human emotions. One way is not better than the other, both are merciful in the eyes of Jesus.
The story of Lazarus reminds us that through miracles, Jesus revealed who he is.
In his humanity, he wept with Martha and Mary upon the death of his friend, Lazarus. In his divinity, when the stone is rolled away, Jesus beckons Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Lazarus escapes death and Martha and Mary are overwhelmed with the love of Jesus for Lazarus. Jesus also made an impact on the Jews who came with Mary to the tomb and began to believe Jesus must be the Messiah.
The Lord still works miracles every day, not only with humankind, but also in Creation. Plants, flowers, trees, and bushes “die” in the fall only to bloom again, or come to life, in the spring. And vice versa. God resurrects the Earth every year in the cycle of our seasons. Now more than ever we are called to care for each other and our common home. As Catholics, it is our love for God’s creation that we are charged to be good stewards of the Earth.
As we actively engage in our Lenten prayers, may we be reminded of Lazarus coming out of the tomb and tend to the beauty of humanity and creation that God has bestowed upon us.
— Jean Santopatre, Pastoral Associate