TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 29 JULY

TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
29 JULY, 2026
John 11:19-27

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus told 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.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!

REFLECTION

In this powerful gospel passage, Martha encounters Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus. Her words are filled with grief, but also with remarkable faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died… But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” (v.21-22). Though mourning, she holds on to hope. Jesus responds with a truth that transcends death itself: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Martha’s confession — “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (v.27) — is one of the most profound declarations of faith in the Gospel. Despite not fully understanding what Jesus would do, she believes in who He is. This passage invites us to trust not only in God’s power, but in His presence — especially in our times of loss and waiting. Christ doesn’t just offer resurrection as an event; He is resurrection, now and always.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, when life feels heavy with sorrow, and grief clouds our hearts, help us to come to You like Martha did — honest, hurting, but full of hope. Thank You for being the Resurrection and the Life. Thank You that in You, even death is not the end.

Strengthen our faith to declare, “Yes, Lord, I believe,” even when we do not see the full picture. Help us to trust in Your timing, Your power, and Your love. In every season of waiting or loss, may we find life and peace in You alone.

We praise You for being near to the brokenhearted, and for giving us the assurance that those who believe in You, though they die, shall live. Comfort our hearts today with Your promise of eternal life. Amen

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TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
29 JULY, 2026
Luke 10:38-42

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. The village had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!

REFLECTION

There are times in our lives when we are faced with a choice between nourishing our bodies or our souls. Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel that it’s better to prioritize the nourishment of our souls over our bodies. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t eat, but it emphasizes that we need spiritual nourishment to give our spiritual lives great value, where God can’t be left out when we talk about spiritual life. Often, people get caught up in taking care of worldly things, which leads to forgetting or neglecting spiritual things that should be more important, since the worldly is temporary and the spiritual is eternal.

PRAYER

Lord, constantly strengthen us to remember and trust in the beauty of heaven, so we strive to follow your will even when it is difficult, and remind us how difficult and painful hell is, so we avoid sinning. Have mercy on us, Lord. Amen