St Martha, Mary and Lazarus
"Jn 11:19-27"
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus. He was always welcome in their home. Bethany was a place where Jesus felt at ease. The Gospel explains how, after the death of Lazarus, Jesus went to Bethany and Martha ran to meet Him. And with all the familiarity of a good friend, she complains about Him being too late. She was absolutely certain that if Jesus had been there He could have saved Lazarus.
That confidence is the fruit of a personal relationship with Jesus in our prayer. "Have you seen the affection and confidence with which Christ's friends treat him? In a completely natural way the sisters of Lazarus 'blame' Jesus for being away: 'We told you! If only you'd been here!' Speak to him with calm confidence: 'Teach us to treat you with the loving friendliness of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, as the first twelve treated you'" (St Josemaría).
Martha, Mary and Lazarus are a good example of what real friendship with Jesus means. If we failed to have a personal relationship with Jesus, real friendship, including real dialogues with Him… we would be wasting our lives. Jesus Christ didn't come to the world just to make tables and chairs… He came to make friends. Don't you see? He is begging for your friendship.
But, in my prayer, how should I address Him? Exactly as you do your best friend. Sometimes we have time to chat for a while. Those delightful conversations help a friendship to grow. At other times we can only say to Him, 'I have something to tell You, but not now… I'll call you later!' And so, you prepare your next time of prayer. Now and then there's only time for a short 'WhatsApp': 'I'm in a pickle right now. Need help!' Sometimes just a smile at Him is all you can manage. Good friends have their ways of communicating with each other. And Jesus loves all those details of affection! May Martha teach us the lesson. May Our Lady help us to become true friends of God.
