FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners:
Last Sunday in my homily, I shared the story of two of our newest parishioners, Zachary and Justine (The photo on the bulletin cover is from their wedding last Saturday). Like so many of us, they carry huge burdens unbeknownst to those around them. In such moments, we cry out to God, begging for help. Yet oftentimes we’re met with a gut-wrenching silence. We go on with our daily routine, barely knowing where to go next. This is what makes the Gospel story this Sunday of Mary and Martha so utterly human. They are us and we are them. We hear in the reading, a death in the family has tragically happened. Jesus arrives and immediately they cry out to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (Cf. John 11:21). Don’t we all say this to God in our darkest hour? We lament from the depths of our hearts begging him to act and yet nothing happens. Crickets. Am I just talking to myself?
It is here in this moment when the temptation to believe the lie of the “serpent” that was uttered into the ear of our first parents in Genesis 3:1, “Did God really say…” He slithers doubt into our hearts that God is not to be trusted. He tricks us to believe that God has abandoned us. God is indifferent to our pain. He has other more important things to do. Even more so, he tries to make us ultimately believe that God is not our loving Father. Yet despite the pain of losing her brother, Martha does not let her suffering destroy her faith. Instead, she trusts heroically, even though she does not fully comprehend God’s plan. She stands resolute, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” (Cf. John 11:22). Look at her faith! She stays with Jesus in her pain.
As Jesus approaches the tomb of Lazarus, something spectacular happens next. We’re told that “Jesus wept.” (Cf. John 11:35). This is the shortest scripture verse in the entire Bible. Its significance outshines its brevity. Here is God in the flesh staring directly into humanity’s greatest fear. Standing toe to toe with death itself, Jesus does something strange – he cries. This shows us that God is not indifferent to our plight. In fact, God is closest to us when we think we have been abandoned. Or let's put it another way, God enters into our suffering with us. The lasting healing that we seek can only be found in the divine healer himself, Jesus Christ. This is precisely the reason that he comes.
When Justine and Zach walked into our parish on a random Sunday for Mass, they encountered this healing power of Christ. A flame was lit in their hearts at that Mass, which would change the course of their lives forever. They had their marriage blessed in the Church and now Zach will be baptized, confirmed, and receive his first Holy Communion this Easter vigil.
A Servant of Jesus Christ,
Fr. Brian J. Soliven
