Year A

Jan 30 2025

A Sister Speaks

So, I’m pushy. At least that’s what Mary was always telling me. “Martha, you don’t have to say everything that comes into your mind,” she would whisper. Like the time when she left me to do all the work in the kitchen while she plopped herself down at Jesus’ feet. No sense going into that—you know the story.

But this time being pushy paid off. Our younger and only brother had taken ill with fever. We waited to send word, thinking it would pass, but then early one morning, our beloved Lazarus died. We were heartbroken. He was our protector, our friend, the apple of both our eyes. Never to hear his voice, or pretend annoyance at his silly jokes at our expense. Neither of us could stop crying. As soon as word came that Jesus had reached the outskirts of the village, I went out to him. I was beside myself with grief: “Where were you? Why didn’t you come? If you had, he would not have died.” My anger and sorrow broke against him like waves during a summer storm. He listened, then spoke: “He will rise again.” “Yes, I know . . . on the last day.” His eyes looked into my soul: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever lives and believes in me will never die, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” That is the question, isn’t it? Do you believe his words? Do you believe him? Do you believe he is the resurrection and life? Well, do you?

Consider/Discuss

Is there anything you want to ask Martha? Or say to her?
What does it mean to believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Responding to the Word

Lord, death seems so merciless, so final. It is hard to believe life can ever be restored. Help us to trust your word and the promise of the Father that death will not be victorious. Help us to place our trust in you as the Lord of life.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

The passage from Ezekiel testifies to God’s absolute and unconditional control over the powers of life and death, over destruction and restoration. The prophet employs the metaphor of the restoration of life to dead bodies to illustrate the unbelievable nature of the restoration of the nation. The people probably thought that neither restoration was possible. However, the prophet is insisting that anything is possible with God. If God says it, regardless of how incredible it might appear, it will surely happen. This decisiveness is underscored in the last words of the passage, “I have promised, and I will do it” (37:14).

Paul contrasts two ways of living: life in the flesh and life in the spirit. Life in the flesh (limited human nature) cannot please God. Life in the spirit, on the other hand, is a form of union with God. Paul assures the Christians that they are in the spirit if the Spirit of God dwells within them. In true Trinitarian fashion, he likens the Spirit of God to the Spirit of Christ, and he maintains that it is through this Spirit that resurrection is promised. The Spirit of God raised Jesus, and that same Spirit will raise those who live in the Spirit of Christ.

The death and resurrection of Lazarus point to the future death and resurrection of Jesus and of everyone who believes in him. When Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise, she probably thought that he meant at the general resurrection, a position taught by the Pharisees. Jesus then declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The meaning of this claim is the heart of Jesus’ teaching here. Belief in Jesus establishes a bond of life that not even death can sever. Although believers die physically, this bond will bring them back to life. Furthermore, this bond will survive physical death and keep believers from an eternal death. A solemn question is posed: “Do you believe?”

Jan 30 2025

The Gift of Sight and Vision

My name is Samuel, after the great prophet who anointed our first kings, Saul and David. I used to think my parents showed their sense of humor by naming their blind son after Samuel the seer. But even he didn’t always see clearly.

When Samuel went to Jesse’s house that day, he thought for sure God wanted him to anoint the eldest, Eliab, tall and handsome, just like Saul had been. But God brought him up short: “No, no, no—not him!” Ended up being the youngest out in the fields tending sheep. A case of the see-er not seeing. Easy to get blinded by appearances, I could not see Jesus, so I couldn’t be blinded by his appearance, or unimpressed if he wasn’t that remarkable to look at. But I could tell he had God’s power in him. And a fire. After smearing mud on my eyes, he told me to wash in the pool of Siloam. I did. And I saw.

Then the trouble started. My neighbors started arguing, then the Pharisees got into it, and they got my poor parents. Well, I told them he was from God. That’s when they threw me out. And suddenly I hear someone say, “Do I believe in the Son of Man?” Without any hesitation, I said: “I do believe, Lord.” He said he came into the world so the blind might see and those who saw might be blind.

Consider/Discuss

Why would Jesus say he came into the world so that those who do see might become blind?
What kind of seeing does Jesus bring about?

Responding to the Word

Jesus, you are the light come into the world. Sometimes I feel lost in the dark, not sure where I am and which way to go. Enlighten my mind so I may understand more fully the direction you wish me to go in my life. Help me to see so I can serve you.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

The search for the new king and the choice and anointing of David open a new chapter in the story of the Israel. Each step of the way is determined by God, making this a history of salvation. God decided from which family the kings would come, and even which son would be chosen from that family. No one in Jesse’s family even considered David as a viable candidate, but God did. It seems that God often chooses the least likely to accomplish great deeds. Once David was anointed king, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, confirming the choice of him to rule the people.

The binary opposition of light/darkness is a very significant theme. The Ephesians are told that before they knew Christ, they were so much a part of darkness that they were actually identified with it. Having accepted Christ, they are now identified with the light that comes from the Lord. They are told that they must now live as children of that light. There is a play on the difference between virtuous behavior that can be plainly seen, because it is done in the light, and shameful behavior that is hidden in the secret of darkness. The Ephesians are to hold fast to the new life that has been given to them and live in the light.

The account of the healing of the man born blind is filled with the symbolism of darkness/light, blindness/sight. The man was born blind and so he lived his life in darkness. However, his ultimate insight into the identity of Jesus was rewarded with the gift of sight. In a very real sense, the man is now a new creation, both physically with sight and spiritually with faith. The Pharisees, on the other hand, enjoyed the power of sight, but they were blind to the great powers exercised by Jesus. Furthermore, when given the opportunity to move into the light of faith, they chose the darkness of disbelief.

Jan 29 2025

The Woman of Sychar

When I saw him coming, I was afraid. I had just dropped my bucket into the well and was pulling it up. What was a Jew doing here? Sychar was not a stopover for the Jews. It was in Samaritan territory. Jews hated Samaritans, and the feeling was returned. This went back centuries.

I could tell he was tired. It was almost noon and a scorching day. When he asked for a drink, I couldn’t refuse. Even so, I asked him, “How can you, a Jew and a man, ask me, a Samaritan and a woman, for a drink?” “You have the bucket,” he said, smiling.

As I was handing him a ladle of water, he said: “If you knew who was saying, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked me for one.” I just stared at this riddle maker. Then I pointed out the facts: I had the bucket and the well was deep. End of discussion.

But it wasn’t. He began to talk about water that satisfies thirst and water that doesn’t. And then he said, “Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. I will give them water that gushes up into eternal life.”

You know, I believed him. I can’t explain why. That’s not all he said that day. We talked about my life, his work, and a day when Jews and Samaritans would be able to worship together. That was really a dream, I told him. But it wasn’t. After his death—and resurrection—it came about. It turned out he was living water after all.

Consider/Discuss

What do you thirst for?
How is Jesus life-giving water for you?

Responding to the Word

Jesus, you are life-giving water that quenches our soul’s thirst. You continue to meet us during our days, speaking to us so we might know you and what you would do for us. Like the Samaritan woman, may we welcome you and speak to you from our hearts.