Martha's name means lady in Aramaic, indicating her importance. Today's first reading talks about charity, and in Martha and Mary, we see charity towards others and God, respectively (Luke 10:38 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?38). Martha welcomes and serves travelers, feeds the hungry, and buries her dead brother, which are acts of mercy. Mary contemplates the Lord, sitting at His feet and listening to His teachings (Psalm 34:5 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?5).
In a famous story told by St. Luke, Martha was busy serving while Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?41). Martha learned this lesson and later served without worry in John 12.
St. John mentions the story of Lazarus' raising by talking about Mary anointing Jesus' feet, even though he hasn't mentioned this event yet (John 11:2 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?2). Many believe Mary of Bethany is the sinful woman in Luke 7, though this is debated. Pope Francis gave Mary of Bethany a separate memorial from Mary Magdalene.
Martha's faith is shown when she believes in the resurrection at the end of the world, and Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25-26 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?25). This is shown by Lazarus rising from the dead. Martha's declaration of faith is like Peter's declaration (Matthew 16:16-17 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?16).
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly ointment is a gesture of great love and repentance (John 12:3 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?3). Saint Bernard sees a figure of a hardened sinner in Lazarus, who is raised to the life of grace by Jesus (Luke 7:37-38 -
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/7?37). According to Western tradition, after Jesus' resurrection, the three siblings brought the Christian faith to the south of France.
00:00 – Introduction
00:14 – Martha's House Near Jerusalem
00:28 – Mary's Devotion to Jesus
00:36 – Lazarus Raised from the Dead
00:53 – Wealth and Importance
01:15 – Charity and Mercy
01:50 – Martha and Mary Contrast
02:30 – Eternal Contemplation
03:01 – Lazarus' Resurrection
04:28 – Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet
06:01 – Martha's Faith and Jesus
07:02 – Dinner Before Passover
