Feast of St. Martha
Jer 18: 1-6; Jn 11: 19-27
Dc. Larry Brockman
God is relentless! And how fortunate that is for us, because no matter how many times we turn away from him, no matter how many times we fight Him, he is right back with us immediately trying to reshape us, relentless and patient in the process, just as He described in the parable of the potter in today’s first reading. It is inescapable- we can’t get away from Him no matter how hard we try.  Â
It isn’t just the parable that tells us this either. There are a number of ways we know the truth of this in our hearts- our emotions and feelings give it away. When we feel guilt over something we’ve done, or we experience frustration over the way things are going, or even when we are bewildered over burdens that seem to confront us- all of these are signs that we need to be reshaped, that a change is needed in our lives to put us back on track. It is then that we can open ourselves in prayer to the patient, relentless, quiet calm that comes from God as he guides us to recovery, whatever that might be.  Â
Martha experienced this process. Burdened and frustrated over the loss of her brother Lazarus, she appealed to Jesus for help. And while Jesus worked the miracle she so desperately desired, he did so only after ministering to Martha’s inner needs, refocusing her on what was really important. He said: “I am the Resurrection and Life, whoever believes in me, even if he die, will live; and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die”. We all need to hear that in the midst of our burdens and frustrations and bewilderments of this life, that if we believe, and live as God intends us to live, we will never die.  Â
Sometimes the potter’s hand can seem awfully harsh and contrary to our desires. But that is only a short term phenomena. Because those who hold to the potter’s shape, they will live forever.