Do you believe?

A few weddings and a funeral

I don’t know a lot about the Catholic church. My experience is limited to what I learned in a protestant university and a handful of Catholic weddings I’ve attended. Over the past couple of years though, I’ve had the privilege of attending both a baptism and funeral at a Catholic church.

While the baptism was joyous and the funeral very sad, I was impressed by the depth expressed in both ceremonies. I was particularly intrigued at the funeral and the priest’s homily.

At the funeral the priest shared from John 11 (the resurrection of Lazarus). That passage has an interesting contrast between two disciples (one is not traditionally considered a disciple).

Thomas

Jesus actually has a chance to heal Lazarus before he passes away. Jesus chooses to wait in order to display his power over death. When he finally leaves to visit Lazarus, only Jesus knows Lazarus is dead – the word hasn’t actually reached him yet.

The disciples thought he was staying away from Lazarus’ home, Bethany, for fear of the religious leaders who want Jesus dead. When Jesus announces it’s time to leave – specifically to raise Lazarus from the dead – not everyone is on board. In fact, Thomas has one of my favorite lines in all the Bible,

Let’s go too — and die with Jesus.  -John 11:16

What a perfect Eeyore statement! Thomas’ statement is pessimistic, gloomy and depressed.

Thomas betrays his exact feelings with his words. Thomas doesn’t believe.

It’s a story Thomas lives throughout the Gospels (Doubting Thomas). His speech lets everyone know the story he is living and believing in.

Martha

Now contrast Thomas with Martha.

Martha isn’t one of the 12 men we know as disciples, but she was definitely a follower of Jesus. She hosted him on multiple occasions, and Jesus seemed to know her, her sister Mary and brother Lazarus very well.

Martha runs to meet Jesus. In faith, she declares Jesus could have healed Lazurus if Jesus would have arrived a few days earlier.

Jesus famously responds –

I am the resurrection and life. Anyone who believes in me will live…  -John 11:25

Jesus then asks a clarifying question.

Do you believe?  -John 11:26

Martha doesn’t blink. Martha states her utter and undying faith in Jesus.

I have always believed.  -John 11:27

More than say it, she runs to find her sister with a heart of faith.

We know the rest of the story. Jesus does indeed raise Martha’s brother from the dead in the presence of Thomas. Far from dying…Jesus brings the dead to life!

Do you believe?

Everyday we live and relate a story with words. Those words, and the attitude behind them, reflect our level of belief in the story we’re living. You are telling a story. What is that story?

Thomas told a story with one statement…a story without hope. He didn’t believe.

Martha told a story with both words and actions…a story of hope. She believed Jesus was who he said he was, and that made all the difference in the world.

Do I believe?

I’ve been dealing with how I tell my story as we purchase a house. Today, at 11:00am, we are scheduled to sign the papers making a home ours. We’ve struggled to get this point with realtors, banks and the housing market itself.

To counter disappointment, I’ve guarded my belief this house is mine until I hold the keys in my hands (sound familiar…Thomas?).

What do I convey life with this attitude? Life?

I want my story to speak life with every word out of my mouth.

I want to believe.