A Patient Faith

Scripture Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent (April 10, 2011)

Scripture Readings:
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45

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“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

In this week’s gospel, we hear this line twice; both Mary and Martha proclaim it to Jesus. It’s appropriate that we hear it twice, because it can be interpreted in two different ways, and those two ways represent two distinct aspects of our faith.

What were Mary & Martha expressing when they said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”? On the one hand, we can imagine Mary, in her despair, leveling these words at Jesus in an almost accusatory tone. Jesus had the power to save Lazarus, and he didn’t. If she was angry, could we blame her? She had lost her beloved brother. She had already demonstrated her deep faith by anointing Jesus’ feet, and Jesus knew her and her brother well; the reading even says that he loved them. She might have expected Jesus to arrive in time to do something to prevent all the suffering and pain, but he didn’t.

Our world is also rife with suffering and pain. The scope of the injustice, violence, and alienation that people experience is overwhelming to comprehend. We too, expect that God will be present in these situations. Still, when I bring my deepest concerns to God in prayer, there is a part of me that feels angry with God for allowing it all to happen. God, how can you promise to bring about your Kingdom on earth, yet allow innumerable horrific things to occur each day, both to those I know and others all around the world? I want to throw myself at Jesus’ feet, look up at him, and cry, “Lord, if you had been here, this war could have been avoided, this child need not have died, and this poverty could have been eliminated.”

It’s possible to get caught in this cycle of bitterness and frustration. But this is not the only way to respond to suffering. Indeed, there is another way to hear Mary’s words.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” This is not just a statement full of sadness, but also one that is full of faith. Mary believes in Jesus, and she knows that he had the power to cure her brother. We can see the faith-filled nature of this statement even more clearly in Jesus’ exchange with Martha. She greets Jesus with these same words, but follows them with an amazing confession, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” She has faith not only that Jesus had the power to cure Lazarus, but also that he still has the power to heal the situation. Her faith is at its deepest even in the midst of her greatest sorrow. This faith offers the alternative response to suffering which guides our engagement with the strife of the world.

The faith that is embedded within this statement is rooted in the hope of Christ. Mary’s & Martha’s hope was confirmed by Jesus, who raised their brother from the tomb back to life. Jesus provides the ultimate foundation for our faith with his own resurrection from the dead. So our faith is based on solid ground; we are right to believe that God is at work in this world, performing miraculous yet ordinary resurrections each day.

We learn from Mary and Martha that faith is rewarded. But we also learn that our faith must be patient, and that God’s plan will not match our own expectations. The redemptive end to this story does not eliminate the very real pain that Mary & Martha felt while they waited for Jesus to arrive, nor does it make Lazarus’ death less real. When we experience suffering in our own lives or observe it in the world around us, we are called to recommit ourselves to patiently trusting that God is at work and has the ability to redeem the situation.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Which interpretation of Mary’s & Martha’s words is relevant for us? I think that both interpretations are valid. We know that we will experience pain, loss, sadness, and suffering. It is understandable to feel frustrated with the world and even with God at times. Hopefully, though, our ultimate experience is similar to that of Mary and Martha: our anger gives way to deeper faith, which brings new hope. In these times of global crises, national conflict, and personal confusion, we are called to remember that it is our hope in Christ transcends all.

(Image: Lazarus coming out of the tomb - by William Hole by: http://www.BiblePictureGallery.com)