Memorial of Saint Martha
(Jeremiah 18:1-6; John 11:19-27)
After hearing of John Kennedy’s escapades, one wonders why he is considered a great president. Yet many throughout the earth revere his memory because his vigor and articulateness represented the hope of using strength as a source of renewing the world in virtue. In a similar way we have to ask why we honor Martha as a saint after Jesus reproaches her in the Gospel of Luke for fussing over details while neglecting the central concern of existence.
We need look no farther than the reading today from the Gospel according to John. In it today Martha shows that she has learned Jesus’ lesson. More than any other personage in the gospels with the exception of the once doubting Thomas, Mary recognizes Jesus for whom he is. She not only accepts his self-description of being the resurrection and the life but can confidently add that he is “’the Christ, the son of the living God, the one who is coming into the world.’” What Jesus says to Peter after he made a similar, but not quite as complete, a claim applies to Martha here, “’Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father who is in heaven.’”
Martha’s confession gives us confidence to proclaim our faith. Yes, sometimes we become discouraged by the pain we see around us. At other times we may feel confused by the disbelief of intelligent, even good, people. Yet we know that Jesus has shown himself to be the Lord and comes, more regularly even than we expect, to save us.
Showing posts with label St. Martha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Martha. Show all posts
Homilette for Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Memorial of St. Martha
(Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 10:36-42)
Two weeks ago the president of Bolivia Evo Morales criticized Catholic bishops for, in his words, using prayer to anesthetize people. Referring to the archbishop of Honduras, who has taken a position against the return of the deposed president of that country, Mr. Morales went on to accuse bishops for employing law, prayer, and even guns to dominate their peoples. It was a statement at best misleading after all that the bishops of Latin America have done to promote an informed and active Church. But Morales´ remark finds a bit of an echo in the posture of Martha in the gospel today.
Martha evidently believes that the presence of the Lord necessitates action. She even chides Jesus for not telling her sister Mary to assist with the chores of entertainment. But Jesus, a champion of women, recognizes Mary´s right to sit at his side to learn and to pray. There is a lesson here for those of us who want to do as much as we can for others. Although it is true that many times people fail to act as generously or as humbly as they should, still sometimes our action needs to give way to prayer and study so that true and enduring good may come about.
(Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 10:36-42)
Two weeks ago the president of Bolivia Evo Morales criticized Catholic bishops for, in his words, using prayer to anesthetize people. Referring to the archbishop of Honduras, who has taken a position against the return of the deposed president of that country, Mr. Morales went on to accuse bishops for employing law, prayer, and even guns to dominate their peoples. It was a statement at best misleading after all that the bishops of Latin America have done to promote an informed and active Church. But Morales´ remark finds a bit of an echo in the posture of Martha in the gospel today.
Martha evidently believes that the presence of the Lord necessitates action. She even chides Jesus for not telling her sister Mary to assist with the chores of entertainment. But Jesus, a champion of women, recognizes Mary´s right to sit at his side to learn and to pray. There is a lesson here for those of us who want to do as much as we can for others. Although it is true that many times people fail to act as generously or as humbly as they should, still sometimes our action needs to give way to prayer and study so that true and enduring good may come about.
Homilete for Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Memorial of St. Martha
(John 11:19-27)
In the Gospel of John, Martha seems to be the same kind of go-getter that we see in the Gospel of Luke. We remember how she chides Jesus there for allowing her sister to sit at his feet while she busies herself with the chores of entertaining. Here she starts on the same critical tone as she reminds Jesus that Lazarus would not have died if he had been there. Then she expresses a degree of faith in Jesus by saying that God would give him anything that he asks. Jesus helps her to see that he is more than a healer and holy man. He is “...the resurrection and the life.” Of course, Jesus eventually raises Lazarus from the dead.
We may ask why Martha is considered a saint. Is it just because she expresses belief in Jesus? No, there is more to it than that. Saints are both intercessors and models. Martha petitions the Lord on behalf of her brother as a faith-filled intercessor. In doing so, she shows us how to pray. We do not need half-dollar words to pray, but we have to see Jesus as a friend who can help us. Let us refer to him first in any situation of distress and then figure out what we might do to alleviate the need.
(John 11:19-27)
In the Gospel of John, Martha seems to be the same kind of go-getter that we see in the Gospel of Luke. We remember how she chides Jesus there for allowing her sister to sit at his feet while she busies herself with the chores of entertaining. Here she starts on the same critical tone as she reminds Jesus that Lazarus would not have died if he had been there. Then she expresses a degree of faith in Jesus by saying that God would give him anything that he asks. Jesus helps her to see that he is more than a healer and holy man. He is “...the resurrection and the life.” Of course, Jesus eventually raises Lazarus from the dead.
We may ask why Martha is considered a saint. Is it just because she expresses belief in Jesus? No, there is more to it than that. Saints are both intercessors and models. Martha petitions the Lord on behalf of her brother as a faith-filled intercessor. In doing so, she shows us how to pray. We do not need half-dollar words to pray, but we have to see Jesus as a friend who can help us. Let us refer to him first in any situation of distress and then figure out what we might do to alleviate the need.
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