Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
St. Thomas Aquinas speaks of charity as “friendship with God.” Following Aristotle, Aquinas presupposes that there can only be true friendships between equals. So, for example, a king cannot be a friend with a slave, nor a noble woman with her servant. It is simply impossible for there to be equality between God and human beings. How then, asks Aquinas, can there be friendship?
What is impossible from our side, God makes possible by bridging the infinite divide between us. God comes down to us and raises us up to the divine. This is the incredible mystery of the incarnation in which God became man, divinity taking on created human flesh. God came down to a human, creaturely level; and through our baptism into the saving death and resurrection of the incarnate son of God, we are raised up. It is only by God’s generous action and gift, then, that we can realize the impossible: We can enter into friendship with God.
Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are affectionately known as “Friends of Jesus.” This title is a reminder that Jesus is a real person, and friendship is important for all men and women. Jesus had emotions, most significant was when he wept at the death of his friend Lazarus, which led the Jews to remark: “See how he loved him.” Jesus indeed loves us, not in a theoretical way, but in a real way. And, as those loved by Jesus, we are invited into friendship with Him. It is not something that we will simply experience in the future, but right now we are invited to friendship with Jesus. How do our lives reflect such a great gift?
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections