It is difficult to lose someone you love. Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to say. Martha, in the gospel, speaks the words that burn in our hearts. Where were you? If you were here, my brother would not have died. Three days had already passed. The workers have already sealed the tomb. Where was hope? Then with just two words, Martha gives us the answer. “Even now.” Even though the world might have given up, when her heart burned with anguish and despair, even then she trusted that God would provide. She did not tell him what to do. Martha doesn’t beg or plead. She believes with her entire mind, heart, and soul that the love of God can conquer even death.
We are often more like the Israelites in the first reading. Moses has gone up the mountain to speak with God. They waiting at the bottom decide it’s taking too long. Begging and berating Aaron, he gives in and makes an idol for them to worship. Then when Moses shows up, the blame game starts. “I threw the gold in the fire, and the calf just came out!” How often do we say things just like that? “I didn’t mean to; those words just came right out!” All too often, we spend our time looking for new ways that we enjoy, things that fill us with pleasure, than actually waiting patiently for God. We are crying out, “If you were just here already!”
Even now, though, God waits with great patience for us to turn back to Him. Even now He is ready to forgive and help bring out in us the person we were created to be. Are we ready then, to sit in patience, even when it seems like the world is falling apart? When crushed by sorrow and pain? Now is the time, not tomorrow. Where was hope? Martha knew that He, the Incarnation of Hope itself, was standing right in front of her. Just like then, Jesus is saying to each one of us today: “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?”