~~~ Memorial of Saint Martha ~~~
~~~ Jeremiah 14:17-22 ~~~ Psalm 79 ~~~
~~~ John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42 ~~~
We have two Gospels where Martha is one of the main characters.
It is clear from both of these stories
that Martha had a close friendship with Jesus.
Martha loves Jesus, but she is also open
and blunt with her comments to him.
She reprimands Jesus for not coming to her brother's
sick bed before he dies.
She believes that Lazarus, her brother,
might have not died had Jesus arrived sooner.
"Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died...
She is visibly upset over her brother's death,
but she believes that Jesus has the power to turn things around.
She believes Jesus can intercede on behalf of Lazarus.
She believes Jesus can raise him from the dead.
...But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you."
Her strong faith most likely came as a result of her knowledge
of the healing power of Jesus.
In the Gospel of Luke we find Jesus coming to visit Martha and Mary.
This is one of the rare accounts we have
of the personal life of Jesus during his public ministry.
He comes to rest, to share stories, to laugh,
to relax, and to break bread together.
Martha is the one who scampers around the house getting everything
just right for their visitor while her sister,
Mary sits at the feet of Jesus.
Clearly Martha is distraught.
She complains, not to her sister,
she complains to Jesus.
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
Instead of Jesus telling Mary to get up and help her sister,
he tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better.
He basically tells Martha to chill out.
She really has no reason to be anxious.
Jesus does not have expectations of her when it comes to the house
or what they were going to eat.
He just wanted to be able to relax and spend time with his friends.
He wanted to share with them the stories of his travels.
Jesus does not want you to be anxious when he is with you.
He wants you to sit as his feet.
He wants you to hang on every word he has to give you.
He wants you to cherish his presence in your life.
He does not want you to compare yourself to anyone,
especially other family members.
How often are you more like Martha than Mary?
Jesus came to visit his friends.
One of them was too concerned
about making things perfect.
The other was sitting at the feet of the one
who was perfect.
Saint Martha, pray for us.
May we be Blessed with the desire to welcome
Jesus into our home.
~~~ Peace ~~~
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