Martha and Mary and their Brother Lazarus
Deacon Kevin Reid
Salutations, greetings and all good Blessings to you my Brother Knights and to all your families as well.
Jesus had three very good friends that we know about from Scripture.
Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus and they lived in a house outside of Jerusalem on the way to Bethany. Jesus in his travels often would stop and visit with them and they at least from the little that we do know were his closest friends outside of the Apostles.
We do know that Jesus performed one of his most significant Miracles after Lazarus had died, when he raised him from the Dead. The story of Lazarus is significant because it shows the power of Christ as God and the ability to suffer as a Man.
Jesus had been asked to go to their home for Lazarus had taken ill, and by the time he finally did arrive Lazarus had already passed away. And now my Brothers comes the important part, when Jesus saw how sad Martha and Mary were he himself wept.
The man who created the stars and the heavens wept over the loss of his friend, and he prayed to his Father to our Father and asked to Raise his friend. We know that Lazarus rose and he came out of his tomb.
What is significant here is that Christ has promised to raise each of us like Lazarus on the last day, in Baptism we are for ever reborn into eternal life. We will one day join him and his Father and hopefully our friends and family that have gone before us to a life in eternity.
The other lesson that we learn from the friends of Jesus, is the difference between being present in mind and body to the Ones that we love.
It's so easy for most of us Men to convince ourselves that our work is what defines us.
Look to the Lesson from the friends of Jesus who had welcomed him to their home, Martha had been busying herself in the kitchen preparing some food for her guest.
Mary meanwhile was sitting in the other room, just listening to Jesus speak. Her thoughts were not in the same place as her Sisters, she had found in Jesus all that she was looking for or would ever want.
When we are able to separate what it is we might think we want, from what we truly need this lesson will be easier to understand. When the day comes what will our children be able to say about our relationship with God and with them.
Will we put things like work or our Season tickets to the Ravens ahead of regular attendance at Mass as a family. Will they remember that we were there for them when they needed us, if we can achieve this then we have succeeded as Fathers and as Knights.
We are constantly observed by those in whom care and teaching we have been entrusted. The lesson of Lazarus and his rising will only be possible for our Children and for us if we are the best of Teachers.
The lesson of where to find our true calling can only be found where Mary the friend of Jesus found it. At the feet of the one who is with us always to the end of time. Jesus the one who tells us to leave our yoke and to take up his, for his burden is light and that we will find rest with him on our Journey home.
Brothers let us pray for the coming of the Kingdom and for the wisdom and the Grace to count Jesus as our friend just like Martha,Mary and Lazarus.
Peace,
Deacon Kevin
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