John 11:1-45

In looking for some inspiration for today's reflection, I came across this long reading. It is the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and how Lazarus had died and been placed in a tomb for four days while Jesus, who had been informed that Lazarus was ill, was on his way. Then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. When thinking about this reading, it was not for the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus. Rather, for the trust that both Martha and Mary--but especially Martha--showed in Jesus. In particular, two quotes seem to demonstrate just how much she was "all in" when it came to her belief.

21-22: “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.”

27: "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Both of these show Martha's belief and trust.

In my ow life, I try to give my all to my beliefs and my value system.  Some days I think I do a pretty good job.  Other days I fail miserably.

And, obviously, I will not perform the miracles Jesus performed, but I do also try to be the type of friend to others who can be trusted.  In that, I sometimes fail, but I must be pretty good.  I seem to be able to put friends at ease.  Many people over the years have commented that I am a good listener.  (Before I was married--now many years ago--I used to find that an annoying thing to be told as numerous people I might have been interested in dating would confide in me but not be interested in dating.  However, now, I see the importance of the role of confidant.)  Finally, I apparently do a good job of explaining things most of the time.  So, people place trust in me that I try to live up to.

I'm not saying that my insight is particularly profound and that no one else would have thought of what I just brought up.  But I wonder how many people who come across this reading would focus on the strength of will and trust and the very humanity of Martha and her relationship with Jesus rather than on the power of Jesus to raise Lazarus.

Psalm 147:10 (and 11)

This is not a race time or a bib number.  This verse came from a search I did this morning.  Between my bike and elliptical workout two days ago and my swim with the dolphins (with bad form and fins) yesterday, my calves have been very tense since we got back on board and headed for home yesterday.  So, this morning before I ran, I first searched calf in the King James version of the Bible I have on my iPhone.  Most of what came up was things about a molten calf or a fatted calf.  Those are interesting to ponder but didn’t speak to me and were, of course, about a different kind of calf.

So, I searched for legs.  What came up was Psalm 147:10 and into 11:

“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh  not pleasure in the legs of a man.  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”

Why does this speak to me?  No matter how much I train, God does not care whether I qualify for Boston.  Unless by qualifying for Boston I use all the gifts I have been given and learn and share important lessons along the way.

God does not care about the strength of my body but about the strength of my will and my spirit as I try to follow the path that has been set for me.

God does not care about how fast I can run but about how fast I can learn the lessons of being a good follower and use them to make this world as much like God’s kingdom as possible.

God does not care how far I can run, but how far I go to serve others.

So, rather than feeling sorry or hurt, I simply push ahead.  Taking care of myself.  Caring for others.  And following God as best I can.  To “hope in God’s mercy” as I lead my life and try to correct any missteps along the way.