After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, we read that ‘Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner’. Martha served, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and Lazarus talked to the guests. Notice: there’s room at God’s table for all kinds of people. Let’s look closer: 

Martha: Marthas are generally in the background with their sleeves rolled up, making sure everybody’s fed and watered. Because they rarely seek the spotlight, often we don’t appreciate them – until they’re missing! The ‘downside’ to Marthas is that they’re inclined to make the mission more important than the Master. They need to remember that worship is also service. 

Mary: Marys can forget there are bills to be paid and meals to be cooked. They’re sometimes so heavenly-minded that they’re no earthly use. They need to realise that service is worship too. But we need Marys. They bring passion to our worship, and you can always count on them to intercede before God on behalf of others. 

Lazarus: Listen: ‘…they flocked to see…the man Jesus had raised from the dead… because of him…many…believed in Jesus’ (John 12:9-11 NLT). Lazarus had a testimony so amazing that those who heard it became instant converts. He reminds us that we each have a story to share about God’s grace and mercy. When was the last time you shared yours? 

So today, if you’re a Martha, God sees your labour of love. If you’re a Mary, He delights in your worship. And if you’re a Lazarus, He promises to honour your testimony. There’s room at the table for all of us!

Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave."

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.