Martha, Mary & Lazarus as Charity, Contemplation & Penance – Jul 29 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 29, 2025, where he explores the holiness of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, highlighting their charity, contemplation, and penitence as expressions of love for Christ.

Father reflects on the holiness of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, three siblings whose love for Jesus is shown through distinct expressions of charity, contemplation, and penitence. Martha’s service, seen in hosting Jesus and His apostles, embodies corporal works of mercy like feeding the hungry and burying the dead. Mary’s contemplative love is evident when she sits at Jesus’ feet, choosing “the good portion” (Luke 10:42), and in her extravagant act of anointing His feet with costly ointment (John 12:3). Lazarus, raised from the dead (John 11:43-44), symbolizes the sinner restored to grace, as St. Bernard suggests. Father notes Martha’s faith in the resurrection (John 11:27), akin to St. Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:16), revealing her trust in Jesus as the Christ. Mary’s anointing, possibly linked to the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50, shows unrestrained love, defying social norms. The siblings’ wealth and status pale compared to their holiness, which aligns with the Church’s teaching on charity (CCC 1822). Father emphasizes that perfect souls balance ministering, contemplation, and repentance, as seen in these siblings who, per tradition, spread the Christian faith in France. Their lives invite us to love God and neighbor, trusting in His mercy and power (John 11:25).

For Further Reading

Luke 10:42 - NAB - Mary Chooses the Good Portion - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?42
John 12:3 - NAB - Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?3
John 11:43-44 - NAB - Raising of Lazarus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?43
John 11:27 - NAB - Martha’s Faith in Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?27
Matthew 16:16 - NAB - Peter’s Confession of Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?16
Luke 7:36-50 - NAB - Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/7?36
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1822 - Charity as Love of God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1822
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2447 - Corporal Works of Mercy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2446
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2559 - Prayer as Contemplation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1.htm#2559
Catholic Answers - God’s Love for You - https://www.catholic.com/tract/gods-love-for-you

00:00 - Introduction to Siblings
00:30 - Martha’s Hospitality
01:15 - Mary’s Contemplative Love
02:00 - Lazarus’s Resurrection
02:45 - Wealth and Holiness
03:30 - Charity in Action
04:15 - Corporal Works Mercy
05:00 - Mary’s Good Portion
05:45 - Martha’s Lesson Learned
06:30 - Raising Lazarus Story
07:15 - Mary’s Extravagant Love
08:00 - Faith and Repentance

Ave Maria!

Mass: Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Op2 Lk 10 - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=79
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072925.cfm
1st: 1jo 4:7-16
Resp: psa 34:2-11
Gsp: luk 10:38-42

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1117

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