A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (2 This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” 5 Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, 7 he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.”
8 The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?”
Reflection
As we reflect on the story of Jesus and Lazarus in John 11, we are reminded of the deep love and loyalty that can be found in our relationships. Driven by unconditional love and not by the fear of danger, Jesus made the journey to Judea both to resurrect Lazarus and to show us that Jesus is the light of the world. This is also an invitation for us to demonstrate the same love and find how we can embody that light in our own lives through healing, supporting, and uplifting others. In a world that is often overshadowed by fear and desperation, we can reflect the love of Jesus by being instruments of hope and healing.
When Jesus travelled to Judea, we are also shown that love is not only a feeling but also willingness to take action, even if it requires courage and sacrifice. Let us be reminded of 1 John 3:18 (CEB), “Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.” As we step forward in our faith, may we find the strength to act boldly in service of our community.
For those who know me personally, you may know that the person I’d speak about “having gone the extra mile for me” is my mother. I could write a book and fill it only with the selfless love she has shown over the years. I find God’s love pouring out most clearly through moments where she was by my side in the midst of strife or in celebrating an accomplishment. I pray that each of you has someone (or many people!) who shows you the same unwavering support and encouragement.
by Thomas Hoskinson
For Pondering and Prayer
Who are some of the people in your life who have gone the extra mile for you? Perhaps it was a friend who stayed up late with you in preparation for a presentation, a mentor who invested their time and wisdom into your growth, or a family member who travelled a long distance to be with you during a pressing time. Consider sending a note of appreciation or a gesture of thanks to those who come to mind. For each and every situation, let us give our thanks to God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of relationships that enrich our lives and fill voids left by difficult moments. Help us to recognize and appreciate those who have shown us love and support, and encourage us to provide the same grace to others. May we always be aware of opportunities to uplift Your servants — even those with whom we disagree — reflecting Your holy love in all that we do. In Your name I pray. Amen.
