These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Thursday, Week XVII, Ordinary Time—Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus, July 29

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
Jesus told Martha,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (Jn 11:19-27)

The home at Bethany was special to Jesus because of his friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Perhaps it is NOT John but Lazarus who is the Beloved Disciple, for Martha and Mary send word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is ill” (Jn 11:3).