Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus — three siblings who were dear friends of Jesus, who welcomed Him into their home, and whose lives teach us profound lessons of faith, service, and friendship with the Lord.

In the Gospel, we recall the scene of Martha busy in service, while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening with devotion. Often, we are tempted to pit these two actions against each other: is it better to serve or to contemplate? But the beauty of this family — and especially what the Church invites us to reflect on today — is that both are necessary, and both were completed by these faithful disciples of Christ.

Martha shows us the dignity and sanctity of service. She welcomes the Lord into her home and pours herself into hospitality. Her complaint to Jesus — though mild — reveals something deeply human. And Jesus gently redirects her heart, not to scold but to show that even amidst our good works, we must not lose sight of the One we serve. Mary, in contrast, sits quietly, giving full attention to the words of Jesus. Her act is not inactivity, but the highest act of worship — giving herself wholly to the presence of Christ.

But what is most striking, perhaps, comes in the person of Lazarus. Though we hear fewer words about him, his very life — and death — becomes a sign. Jesus wept at his tomb, proving how deeply He loved this family. And then, by raising Lazarus from the dead, Christ prefigures His own Resurrection and reveals His power as the Lord of life.

Saint Gregory the Great reflects on this triad of souls in a beautiful way. He writes, ‘Mary, who sat and listened, typifies the life of contemplation. Martha, who served, represents the active life. Lazarus, raised from the dead, is the mystery of grace that the Lord works in every disciple.’ He goes on to say, ‘In every good Christian there must be something of all three: contemplation, service, and new life.’

What a wonderful invitation this is. In our daily Mass community, many of us are busy with work, family, and various responsibilities. Let Martha remind us that service, done with love, is holy. But let us not neglect the time to sit with the Lord in silence like Mary, to pause before the Blessed Sacrament, listen to His Word, and be nourished in prayer. And like Lazarus, may we always remember that through baptism, each of us has been raised to new life — and this life is a gift we are called to witness to with joy.

Today, let us open the home of our hearts to Jesus, just as Martha, Mary, and Lazarus did. Let us offer Him our work, our attention, and our very lives, knowing that in loving Him, He makes our ordinary homes places of extraordinary grace.