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Jeremiah 18:1-6
Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42
We celebrate the feast of Martha today. She was certainly a woman of many gifts. Practical, a woman who got things done? Yes, certainly. She must have been the one who ran the house that Jesus visited often in Bethany. And fed him well.
But she was also a woman of faith. We can see it when her brother Lazarus dies. She is the one who goes out to meet Jesus and strongly professes her belief in his power over life and death. “ I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus says, “Do you believe this?” Her answer is simple: “Yes, Lord, I believe.” She is the voice of faith.
There’s a wonderful humanness in Martha. She scolds her sister for not helping and her Guest not backing her up. She hurries to bring Jesus to the place of tragedy and when he raises her brother from the dead she’s probably the one who arranges a big thanksgiving meal
The Gospel of John has higher purposes in mentioning Bethany, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. They are part of the series of signs that point to the Word made Flesh who brings life to the world. But it’s a real world that the Word entered, a human world, and Martha helps us see it so.
Fr. Victor Hoagland, CP is the Director of Passionist Press and a member of the Passionist Community in Union City, NJ.
Impressive artwork that complements the message- much-maligned Martha manifests much faith in the Lord who is there for us when death comes. That is an eminently practical way to live.