Daily Gospel Reflection

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July 29, 2024

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
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Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“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 from her.”

Reflection

Shannon Bonitatibus Obletz
ND Parent
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Life is hectic. The word hectic, while often thought of in a negative manner, can mean that we are thriving, bustling about with our normal routines of work, school, shuttling kids to practices, grocery shopping, meal prepping, traveling, and entertaining family and friends. And isn’t it so satisfying to scratch something off our hectic “to-do” lists? Some of us may even write down a task that we have already completed just to feel that sense of accomplishment when we cross it off.
In other words, many of us can relate to Martha in today’s gospel.
There is always so much to get done, and we often feel overwhelmed, perhaps even anxious, about our responsibilities. Martha feels burdened with the tasks at hand and is understandably annoyed at her sister, Mary, who is just sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him and not assisting her. We might see the Marys of the world as lazy or not motivated. Who has time to just sit?
However, in today’s gospel, we hear from Jesus himself that we need to be more like Mary and sit. We need to sit in the quiet presence of the Lord, whether it be in the adoration chapel, reading scripture, or simply turning the noise off in the car while being “Martha” running our errands because there should be nothing more important or higher on our to-do list than Jesus.
When we put God first, we receive his grace and wisdom for the tasks before us. Most importantly, we will have God’s peace in the middle of whatever task is at hand. So make the effort to bring out your inner Mary. Sit with Jesus. He’s ready and waiting. We are at the top of his list. He should be at the top of ours.

Prayer

Rev. Bob Loughery, C.S.C.

Good and gracious God, your Word opens our minds and hearts. Each day we strive to live your Word. Help us to listen to your Son, to trust in his healing power. Never abandon us in time of suffering and loss. Bring us your comfort and assurance. Like Martha, may we turn to your Son in our time of need, and find comfort in his presence. We ask this in his name. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Martha

The Gospel of John tells us that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (11:5)—these three siblings were close friends of Jesus and he relied on them for support.

They lived in Bethany, a small town two miles outside of Jerusalem. When Jesus began preaching throughout Judea, he would stop at their house for rest during his travels. Scripture mentions Jesus stopping at their house in three different accounts.

Martha was the oldest of these three siblings and appears to have been in charge of the household. She is the main character in the famous story of Jesus’ visit when Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him teach, while Martha works away in the kitchen. Martha gets exasperated that she’s the only one attending to the household work and 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,” Martha says. He comforts her and encourages patience, saying, “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 from her” (Lk 10:38-42).

Later, we see how well Martha learned this lesson from Jesus—that the only important thing is to cling to the Lord. When her brother, Lazarus, died, she placed her trust in Jesus.

When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, he told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (John 11).

Martha is depicted in these stained glass windows inside the Basilica, where she holds a cooking pot and offers hospitality to Jesus. She is the patron saint of cooks and kitchen staff, and her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Martha, patron saint of cooks, and the hospitable friend of Jesus who was busy about many things, pray for us!