A WORD FOR TODAY 29 JULY 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*BELIEVE IN JESUS AND HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS WELL FOR YOU*

_"Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:24-25)_

_*Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Formerly it was that of St. Martha alone celebrated on the 29th of July every year, but now, it has included Mary and Lazarus as instructed by Pope Francis on January 26th, 2021.*_

_They are friends of Jesus and members of the family that He loves so much. He always spent time with them and they followed Him as His disciples, bearing witness to the faith and the truth that Christ stands for._

_*The gospel reading of today presents us with the encounter that Martha had with Jesus when Lazarus died. It was not easy for her and Mary as it is always with those who mourn the loss of a loved one or a member of their family. When Jesus came, she expressed her belief and desire that His visit would have been much better and beneficial if He had come early enough before Lazarus died.*_

_Jesus reassured her that even though Lazarus had died, that He will live again because He (Jesus) is the resurrection and life. She believed and Jesus after weeping for Lazarus out of love, affection and compassion, raised him from the dead and restored the joy of their home._

_*We must learn from these wonderful saints. They believed in Jesus, they loved Jesus, they witnessed for Jesus, they supported His ministry. They listened to Jesus, they provided for His physical needs sometimes and they were friends with Jesus. Their home became a place where Jesus comes to find solace and comfort.*_

_We have been called to follow Jesus with love just as they have been called and we must answer individually, we may follow different routes in life, but we must make sure that our desitination is Christ and His kingdom. We must also show to others the same love we have received from Christ. Believe in Him like Martha, Mary and Lazarus and He will make all things well for you._

_*Mary is not Martha nor Lazarus, but each of them responded to Jesus in different ways and Jesus loved them as they are. Let us strive everyday to be close to Jesus and to witness for Him so that in the end we will be with Him in heaven.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a peaceful day. May Jesus give you the grace to be a good disciple for Him. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 1 John 4:7-16/Psalm 34:2-11/John 11:19-27

*Watch-Word:* I am the light of the world, says the Lord; He who follows me will have the light of life.

*Be a good friend to Jesus, believe in Him and He will take good care of you.*

(Friday of the seventeenth week in the ordinary time. Year II)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*