Today the church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Mary, Martha and Lazarus. I read the scripture story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and watched a reflection about it. There were 2 things that struck me. The first was the shortest passage in the Bible, which is “Jesus wept”, John 11:35. The reflection explained this as Jesus entering into our pain. In the story, Jesus could have in fact stopped Lazarus from dying at all. Yet, he didn’t. Instead, he joined his friends in their sorrow and felt their anguish. To me, it brought me comfort and explained more the feelings I had when my parents were nearing death. God wouldn’t fix it, cure them, stop my grief, but at the same time I knew He was there. The second thing that stood out to me is something I have heard over and over again. Yet today it was more meaningful for whatever reason. In the same story, Jesus is having a conversation with Martha about the death of her brother. He tells her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” We will never die. Our soul – the essence of who we are – will live forever. Our life in this world is short. We can do all the things to try to live a long, healthy, happy life, but no matter what, it will end. This old yet new revelation is something that I have been thinking about. It has helped me to try to be more conscious of living my life for the things that are most important, loving those around me the best I can.

I Found God today remembering His interactions with us and grateful that He has promised eternal life.