The Gospel Reading for All Saints Day 2024
John 11: 32 to 44
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Again, there is so much packed into this Gospel reading. We begin here in the middle of Jesus coming to Bethany and has already spoken with Martha, apparently to no avail.
Jesus now engages with her sister Mary who says the exact same thing, that is, “If you had been here my brother would not have died.” These are the same words used by Martha. Jesus met Martha in her blaming unbelief and he met Mary in her sad but anxious faith in Jesus. Jesus meets us where we are.
And then we have “the Jews.” We must be careful here and remember that all were Jews but the writer of John’s Gospel lumps Temple authorities as a separate group of mainly critics of Jesus. Such writing could lead one to think that Jesus was not Jewish, but indeed, he was, and kept all of the Jewish traditions and festivals. We Christians need to ponder what this means deeper than we do.
When Martha reveals her unbelief in her complaint about the stench, Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Martha was initially telling Jesus what she thought Jesus wanted to hear. She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” (John 11:27)
But Martha’s words were lip service as she later revealed her fear of moving the stone that covered her brother’s tomb. As we follow the teachings of Jesus we become more than disciples, we become saints. And yes, we have fears and doubts, but faith covers all. We come here every Sunday and say the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer and then we go back outside and tell folks not to move the stone. Perhaps the stench emanates from our lack of faith? We shouldn’t try to tell Jesus what we think Jesus wants to hear. Jesus knows the truth about us, and will still meet us where we are today.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP 245)
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