Lord Grant Us Saints!: The Gospel Maximum of Love and Holiness

Fifth Sunday of Lent

By Joan Patten

“Master, the one you love is ill.” This was the urgent message that Mary and Martha sent to Jesus. There are three positions to examine in this short line: the one who spoke the message, the one the message is about, and the one whom the message is addressed.

What is first striking is the intimacy of the relationship that Martha and Mary have with Jesus. They freely and confidently ask Jesus for His help, His gifts, and His presence. Both Martha and Mary believe in His love for them. “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.” This line should make us pause and ask ourselves, is our relationship with Jesus like this? Do we confidently bring our needs to Him and let Him love us? In the Gospel it says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” See how much Jesus loves the family of Bethany: He calls Lazarus His friend and He cries with Mary. There is an exchange of love between them and Jesus, a mutual attending of one another’s hearts. They profess their belief and trust in Him and He gives them the gifts of His love and presence. So deep is this relationship, that Martha and Mary recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Do we know who Jesus is and who we are as a result of our relationship with Him? Sharing the same sentiment, Bishop Giaquinta’s prayer exclaims: “Tell me my Lord that you love me, speak to my heart once again, cry out to me ever stronger, I am breathless when faced with your love.” Yes, tell us how much you love us, Lord, and then we will know who we are: the one you love.

The second position in the passage: “Master, the one you love is ill” is the one loved by Jesus, the one who is sick. This is me, this is you, this is our brothers and sisters. Bishop Giaquinta always had an eye on “the others”. Do we notice the needs of my brothers and sisters; do we see them and love then as the ones Jesus loves? Like Jesus, we must look at others with compassion, especially those who have forgotten that they are loved by Jesus or do not know that they are loved. As Pro Sanctity members we have been entrusted to announce the Universal Call to Holiness. Do we believe that all of our brothers and sisters are beloved sons and daughters of the Father and do our attitudes reflect this belief? We have often heard that sanctity is s community project; no one should go to Heaven alone! Giuliana Spigone wrote a beautiful letter on the resurrection of Lazarus in 2002. In it she reminded us that we must first reach out to those immediately around us. “Many times we feel compassion toward people who are far from the Lord and make intercessions for them, yet we find it difficult to recognize our own internal and mutual need for the Lord’s presence. All too often we do not notice the need that our [family has] for the Lord, need for my help to meet the Lord, and to love - my [family’s] truest illness.” Do we love each other enough that we pull each other up, closer to the tabernacle, closer to the Heart of Jesus?

The third position is the Lord’s, for this plea: “Master, the one you love is ill” is made to Him. He is the God who loves us and keeps His promises. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we read, “I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.” As you read today’s readings, look for His promises. They are promises made to us today, not promises of yesterday. Underline these promises as they come up, because it is a sign of His love for us. Today, Jesus made the promise to us, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Can we answer with Martha, “Yes, Lord.” Treasure the promises that He has made to us like His faithful presence in the Eucharist and His assurance to be with His Church. Simply rest in knowing you are loved by the King and Creator of the Universe and He desires to dwell in you. In Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, Spe Salvi, he states: “it is the great hope based upon God's promises that gives us courage and directs our action in good times and bad.” Mary, our Mother did not let hope die, even under the tragedy of the cross. We too, must pray for the trust to turn to God in all areas in our lives and those of our brothers and sisters. We pray that our hope will never die, but grow stronger as we look ahead towards the promise of our Heavenly home.