Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
(Jeremiah 26:1-9;
John 11:19-27)
If all we
knew about St. Martha was that she complained to Jesus that her sister left her
with all entertaining chores, we could hardly call her a saint. Fortunately for her and for us, she had an
opportunity to redeem herself in the gospels.
In today’s passage Martha shows that her faith has penetrated the
mystery of Christ.
Martha initially
exhibits her typical forthrightness. She
goes out to meet Jesus and even complains about his being late! But when Jesus asks her if she believes in
him, she shows that she has been meditating over his words like Mary in the
familiar story from Luke’s gospel. Martha
then proclaims Jesus the only Son of God come to save the world.
We too must
take care to recognize Jesus for who he is.
He is certainly more than a great prophet. He eclipses the sun in importance to us. He is the savior who leads us from sin and
death into everlasting life. More than anyone
or anything else, we want to stay close to him.
