Martha, Mary, Lazarus: Examples of Faith, Hope, and Love – Jul 29 – Homily – Fr Michael

 

Fr. Michael M. Gauvreau, FI gives the homily, on how Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus exemplify unwavering faith, profound love, and steadfast hope in welcoming Jesus into their home and lives, serving as models for our own reception of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

The homily celebrates Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, friends of Jesus whose home was always open to Him. Their relationship with Jesus was founded on unwavering faith, seeing Him as the Son of the living God, and on love, recognizing that He first loved them. Jesus came to their home not to rebuke, but to teach and be a friend, even allowing the suffering of Lazarus's death to manifest a great sign of His love. Martha, despite an earlier correction from Jesus about being "worried about many things," demonstrated profound faith, testifying that Jesus could even bring her brother back to life. Mary exemplified choosing the "better part" by sitting and listening to Jesus, showing contemplative love. Lazarus, though silent in the Gospel, was deeply loved by Jesus, who wept over his death—a testament to His full humanity, compassion, and authentic human love. Lazarus himself became a "walking sign of God's power and hope in the resurrection." The homily connects these examples to our reception of the Holy Eucharist. Mary's attentiveness teaches us to listen to Christ's words, Martha's faith reminds us that God's providence works through all trials, and Lazarus embodies the hope of resurrection. We are called to receive Jesus in Holy Communion with the same faith, hope, and love, recognizing that this encounter offers an even greater grace and union with Christ than what Martha, Mary, and Lazarus experienced in their home, leading us towards the fullness of glory in heaven.

Luke 10:42 – Mary chose the better part, listening to Jesus – https://airmaria.com/go/QdsMHc
John 11:35 – Jesus wept, showing His human compassion – https://airmaria.com/go/D7dcgp
CCC 1374 – Christ truly present in the Holy Eucharist – https://airmaria.com/go/FcpPZ7
CCC 218 – God is love, the source of all goodness – https://airmaria.com/go/jWY9Ag

00:00 - Introduction: Celebrating Saints Martha, Lazarus, and Mary
00:32 - Their Unwavering Faith and Jesus' Love
01:57 - Martha's Service and Profound Faith
03:35 - Lazarus and Jesus' Human Compassion
04:53 - Mary's Contemplation and the Better Part
05:27 - The Examples of Martha, Lazarus, and Mary
06:36 - Disposing Ourselves for Holy Communion
07:55 - The Abundant Grace of the Eucharist

Ave Maria!

Mass: Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Op1 Jn 11 - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=79
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072926.cfm
1st: 1 John 4:7-16 - God’s Love and Christian Life
Resp: Psalms 34:2-11 - God the Savior of the Just
Gsp: John 11:19-27 - Raising of Lazarus

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=2237

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ofwXx9MsU