Lazarus, Martha and Mary lived in Bethany, which was a small town close to Jerusalem. Their friendship and hospitality was such that Jesus often halted at their home for rest and relaxation before he would go to confront the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. As the eldest in the family, Martha was in charge of the household. She joyfully attended to the needs of the Master who was an itinerant teacher and who had nowhere to lay his head. On one occasion, her concern to extend hospitality to Jesus was so overwhelming that he had to restrain her with a gentle reproach: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her.” (Lk. 10: 38-42). No doubt, Jesus was reminding Martha that she should seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice and everything else will automatically be given her. (Mt.6: 33). Apparently, this lesson was deeply engraved in her mind. When Lazarus fell gravely ill, the very first thing she did was to relay a message to him saying: “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” (Jn.11: 3)
Martha’s astounding faith in the power of Jesus was openly manifested when she said in between her sobs: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” (Jn.11: 21-22). As a reward for her love, trust and faith, Jesus offered her a fuller revelation of his identity and the remuneration that awaited those who believed in him: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and who ever lives and believes in me will never die.” (Jn.11: 25-26). At this, Martha made yet another profession of faith: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (Jn.11: 27). According to tradition Martha, Mary, Lazarus and a few disciples of Jesus left Palestine after the Pentecost and proceeded to France, where they preached the Gospel message. Martha is believed to have died in 80 AD.
Reflection: The gentle reproach of Jesus (Lk.10: 41-42) has a universal message. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, and occupations and pre-occupations of life that tend to distract us from God, pride of place is to be given to listening to the Word of God attentively and keeping it faithfully. Martha would never forget that principle. When Lazarus fell ill, she ignored all human considerations, took the initiative to send for Jesus, poured out her heart before him on his arrival and invited Mary to seek consolation and strength in their common friend and Master, Jesus Christ.
Martha continues to invite all of us saying: “The teacher is here and is asking for you.”
(Jn.11: 28)
