Lectionary: 402/607
Reading 1
Jeremiah 14:17-22
Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.
Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name’s sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 and 13
R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Gospel
John 11:19-27
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“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.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”
or
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: HOME ALONE?
"Lord, do You not care that my sister left me to serve alone!" –Luke 10:40, RSV-CE
Martha was serving alone. Many Christians also feel quite alone in their service to the Lord and His people. Martha complained to Jesus that He should get Mary to help her (Lk 10:40). We also pray to Jesus that He will get someone to help us. Many times, Jesus doesn't send anyone to help. This gives us the impression that Jesus doesn't care. In fact, Jesus may not be concerned at that particular time about others helping us to continue our work. Rather, His care is that we temporarily stop our work to listen to Him (Lk 10:39). When we are alone in service, we should give up our expectation of others helping us. Rather, we should meet Jesus' expectation that we stop and listen to Him. When we're all alone, we shouldn't just do something; we should sit there.
Jesus cares about our serving alone. He cares so much that He wants to be with us and speak to us. After being "alone" with Jesus, we have the wisdom and strength to serve alone, or we will see the Lord raise up others to help us. First and foremost, Jesus cares about our listening to Him. Do you care to listen to Him and to spend time with Him alone?
PRAYER: Father, may I not run from loneliness but run to You.
PROMISE: "When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart." –Jer 15:16
PRAISE: St. "Martha said to Jesus, '...I am sure that God will give You whatever You ask of Him' " (Jn 11:21-22).
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