Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    In the midst of her profound sorrow over the death of her brother Lazarus, Martha declares her belief “Lord, I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One Who is coming into the world….”Martha had no expectation that our Lord would raise her brother after four days in the tomb.  In fact, she pointed out the futility of such an attempt.  But the Lord used this time of grief and despair to accomplish His mighty work. This miracle was met with astonishment, joy and many responding with faith.  But here were those who saw it as the so-called “straw that broke the camel’s back”.  The all-out effort to destroy the Author of life began. 

     Next Sunday we begin to walk with our Savior as He makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and hence prepare ourselves to be with Him in His greatest Triumph, namely His victory upon the Cross.  To the world it seemed then and now an absurdity, but to those who, like Martha, had faith it is the wisdom and mystery of God.    We as Catholic Christians have the wonderful privilege to participate both physically and spiritually in the High Holy Days of our Faith.  We are not re-acting but rather re-living the days of our redemption.  May we do so with the faith of Martha.

With Blessings,

Father Langan