“When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him . . .” John 11: 20 John 11 paints a familiar image. Jesus’ friend–Lazarus, whom He loves–becomes ill. His family loves Jesus. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, each have personal relationships with Jesus. Martha knows exactly what to do when trouble comes: call Jesus! With confidence she sends out the dispatch. With confidence she soothes her brother and sister: “Jesus is coming, we have nothing to fear.” But He doesn’t come. Lazarus gets sicker and sicker. Mary and Martha tend to their brother, trying to remain calm . . . Where is Jesus? Why isn’t he coming?…

“A cup must be empty before it can be filled. If it is already full, it can’t be filled again except by emptying it out. In order to fill anything, there must be a hollowed-out space. Otherwise it can’t receive.” Fr. William Breault SJ, Hearts on Fire So, I think I got ahead of myself last week. Let me give you a little background: Since I was a little girl, I aspired to holiness like my brother aspired to be a professional football player. Religion seemed so simple: follow the rules, life goes great, you go to heaven. And, I was great at following the rules! It just came naturally…

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace through God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5 Dedicated to the Berry, Barnard, and McAllister families, all of whom are suffering. God bless you. Boasting in…