Scripture:On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11 17-22)Reflection:The responses of the two sisters illustrate how we all have our own unique way of dealing with grief and loss. Martha was outspoken and impetuous. Tired of waiting for Jesus to act in the way she believed he could, she went out to meet him and told him what was on her mind. Mary stayed at home and sought consolation for her loss. When Jesus arrived, she characteristically knelt at his feet, weeping. In our life we may sometimes be like Martha, pouring out all our emotions, positive and negative. At other times we may be like Mary, quieter and more resigned. The wonderful news is that, either way, Jesus understands us and accepts us as we are. We don’t need to cloak our feelings before him. Lyn Hayes
Scripture: ‘but now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ; in His flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between us. (Ephesians 2.13-14)Reflection:It has been said that religion ‘divides’ people, and perhaps man’s ‘spin’ on religion IS divisive - but the message of truth that Jesus brought was one of inclusiveness and equality for all. On this Mothering Sunday when we remember the person who brought us into the world, perhaps we should also remember that this shared experience, the birth of a human baby into the world God created, is one that unites ALL of us in our humanity. We share our ‘beginning’ with each other as human beings and our race, gender or religion cannot change that. He has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between us - it is up to us to follow His example. Vicki Young
Scripture:‘Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’’ (John 4.13-14)Reflection:It’s impossible to exaggerate how important water is for us: it’s vital. The woman Jesus was speaking with had the toil of walking to a well to draw it up. It was not the only or greatest hardship in her life – she was on her sixth ‘husband’. What Jesus said he could give her sounds weird, but he had already, just by speaking with her, broken a social taboo between religions and sexes and shown her a human (or divine) warmth, respect and acceptance that had been missing. She was overjoyed.Everyone needs water, and everyone needs that sort of acceptance. David Harmsworth
