Advent Seven - Siblings

Three Siblings of the Gaddi Family
by Sofonisba Anguissola (Private collection)
Credit familyspirals.org

 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” - Luke 10:38-40

I relate to Martha.  Mary got her priorities right.  'Be with Jesus.'  Lazarus does not get a mention.  He is on his XBOX upstairs no doubt. Jesus can speak freely like this with his friends.  Siblings are stuck with each other, getting on each others nerves.  But Martha is the one with exemplary faith.  She knows Jesus, and perhaps this gentle chiding is part of it.  Later when her brother dies, she scolds Jesus saying "if you had been here sooner, my brother would not of died.  But I know, even now, God will give you whatever you ask."  

Jesus is clearly impressed.  "Your brother will rise again", he says.  She qualifies this. "Surely, on the last day, this is what we believe."  The Jesus says these words- words that strike you to the core.  

"I am the resurrection and the Life.  Those who believe in me will live, even though they die.  Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord", Martha says, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world."  

No one had yet understood and expressed this like Martha just has.  She is the heroine.

PRAYER: Lord, I believe you can do anything, and I come under the umbrella of your will.