Scripture: Revelations 21:1-6; John 11:32-44

Their names should have been Chicken Little because everywhere they went the sky was always falling!  Even when life was going exactly as they had planned, or better than they had imagined, one or the other still found reasons to grip and complain.

The question was “why?”  It wasn’t like they was struggling to survive or was faced with insurmountable problems.  As a matter of fact, they had luxuries and privileges that other women of her day could only dream about.  Not only that, their circle of friends read like a virtual Who’s Who. 

Trust me!  When these two woman had a dinner party for a few close friends, it became the social event of the season.  Even those who weren’t invited dressed up and stood outside her home hoping to catch a glimpse of at least one honored guest.

But were they ever happy?  Of course not!  While their home may have been filled with laughter, their hearts were far too ofthen filled with gloom.  The house was never clean enough, the food was never good enough, and the help was never capable enough to measure up to her high standards of excellence. 

You’ve heard the expression:  Jesus, himself, couldn’t please that person.  Well, in Mary and Martha’s case it was true!  Remember today’s Gospel lesson?  They had sent a message to Jesus asking him to come as quickly as possible because her brother, Lazarus, was extremely ill.  For whatever reason, or reasons, Jesus had chosen not to respond immediately.  As a matter of fact, Lazarus had already been dead four days when Jesus and the disciples finally arrived.  When Mary heard he was coming, she ran out to meet him.  The moment she saw him she cried out:  If you had been here my brother would not have died! 

Now, was this a statement of faith or an outburst of anger?  That can be a hard one to call when we remember what happened next.  Jesus asked to see where his friend was buried and, for the second recorded time, he broke down and cried.  Did Mary embrace him or attempt to comfort him?  Did Martha lean her head on his shoulder and ask why this had to happen?  No, at this particular moment, there was no tenderness . . . no display of emotion or affection . . . on their part. 

As a matter of fact, Mary’s words were still ringing in his ears when Jesus asked that the stone be removed.  This time it was Martha’s turn to speak up.  Or, was she wanting to lash out when she reminded him that her brother had been dead for four days.  Come on, Lord, she said, can’t you smell him!?!

And she was correct.  Something did stink but it wasn’t just Lazarus.  Here were two  woman who, in their defense, believed with their whole heart that, if Jesus had chosen to come when asked, he could have performed a miracle that would have saved their brother’s life.  But now that they had been confronted with the reality of death – now that they felt its sting and experienced its incredible loneliness and despair – They, like the rest of the crowd, suddenly began to doubt the power of Jesus’ love.

But do you know the real tragedy of this story?  It’s not Mary and Martha’s reaction or even the crowd’s cruel remarks.  The real tragedy is that, even though we know the rest of the story and have been given a glimpse of eternity itself – there are still folk who doubt and complain.  And I’m not talking about those who never darken the door of a church or open the pages of a Bible.  I’m talking about folk like you and me who tend to get so caught up in the world as we know it, we forget about the world as God promises it.  In other words, we allow the reality of this world to dictate the parameters of our faith rather than allowing our faith to change the realities of our world!

As she reflected upon this passage, The Rev. Sharron R Lucas asked:  Do you ever wonder what the effect would be if we exercised even 1/10th of the faith with which we are gifted?  What will take for us to be unbound from our suspicions and unbelief?  What is needed for us to let go and get about the kingdom business of our Lord?

All Saints Day offers a sliver of time . . . to pause and reflect on the everyday saints who have gone before us, those full human, was-and-wear disciples whose lives have made a real difference – somehow, someway, and sometime.  (Christians), we, too, are a part of that “great host,” part of the unending ribbon of God’s children (who are invited to walk by faith), not by our own meager efforts (with our own limited understanding).  Unwrap those layers of doubt, guilt, and deceit, because in Christ (we) are free to go . . . into the world redeemed, reclaimed, and rejoicing.*