Daily Gospel Reflections for Jul 29, 2026

**SPEAKER_1** (0:09)
Music July 29, 2026, Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:23)
Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him. But Mary stayed in the house. Therefore, Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn't have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you. Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again, in the resurrection at the last day.
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God's Son, He who comes into the world.

**SPEAKER_1** (1:34)
The Gospel of the Lord Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother, Lazarus, who had died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary sat at home. Losing someone we love changes everything. Martha and Mary were surrounded by people offering comfort, yet the pain of losing Lazarus remained. Their grief was real, and each sister responded differently. Martha went out to meet Jesus. Mary stayed where she was.
There is something reassuring in this scene. Jesus did not expect both sisters to react the same way. He understood their hearts. Whether someone moves forward like Martha or remains where they are like Mary, Jesus meets each person with compassion.
There are moments when we carry burdens that others cannot fully understand. Friends and family may offer kind words, but there is a place in our hearts that only Christ can reach. He comes not to dismiss our sorrow, but to walk with us through it.
This passage reminds us that Jesus does not stay distant when we are hurting. He comes toward us first. Even before he performed the miracle of raising Lazarus, his presence was already bringing hope into a home filled with sorrow. When facing disappointment, lost or unanswered questions, do we turn toward Jesus like Martha, or are we waiting like Mary? Wherever we find ourselves today, are we willing to let him meet us there?
Lord Jesus, you know every joy and every sorrow we carry. Thank you for coming near when our hearts are burdened. Help us to trust that you are present, even when we cannot yet see what you are doing. Draw us closer to you and fill us with hope that rests in your love. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.