The WORD in Other Words by Fr Roderick Salazar SVD (Philippines)
Memorial of Saint Martha
O Lord, my God, thank you for this new morning. As I confidently pray for your continued Presence in me today, I think of others who may not have not slept at all.
For there has been death in the family. They have stayed up the whole night in grief, in tears, body aching for rest, heart heavy with sorrow, but mind striving to be alert for those who have come to condole. They are ready for the burial today, gathering strength for what they must go through, but hoping they will still be themselves when they face tomorrow.
The relatives, friends, and guests will be gone. Emptiness and quiet will envelop the house. They would have to bear the silence that they did not have when the loved one was alive.
But You, O Lord, are the Resurrection and the Life. I pray to You for them. For those who have lost a loved one, whose faith has been shaken by the suddenness of a loved one‘s departure, I pray that they respond to Your grace and say, Martha—like: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
You have come. You are here. Be the Light, the Morning, the Life of us all. In the continuation of today‘s Gospel, You would be shown to have cried at the death of Your friend, Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, and You would call him back to life.
May You continue to be our strength and resurrection. In the depths of our pain and sorrow, fear and death, may we hear You speak our name, calling us to sunshine and springtime, hope and laughter, and ever new life.
Éditions Verbum Bible 