Hôm nay Giáo Hội mừng lễ kính nhớ các Thánh Martha, Maria and Lazarus. Năm 2021, Đức Thánh Cha Phanxicô đã thay thế Lễ Thánh Martha bằng lễ kính nhớ này để tôn vinh cả ba chị em: Martha, Mary và Lazarus. Khi bình luận về lý do của lễ kính nhớ mới này, Bộ Phụng tự đã phát biểu: “Martha đã rộng lượng tiếp đón Chúa, Mary chăm chú lắng nghe lời Người, và Lazarus nhanh chóng ra khỏi mộ theo lệnh của Đấng đã làm nhục sự chết.” Hơn nữa, ba chị em này đã làm chứng cho tất cả chúng ta về Tin Mừng. Họ là tấm gương cho chúng ta về cách trở thành Kitô hữu trong sự bất toàn của mình. Họ đã làm điều này bằng cách chào đón Chúa Giêsu vào nhà, bằng cách chăm chú lắng nghe Người, và bằng cách tin rằng Người là Sự Phục Sinh và Sự Sống.
Nhìn vào Giáo hội, chúng ta sẽ có thể thấy mọi thứ hầu như vẫn chưa được hoàn hảo. Có lẽ chúng ta đang phải đấu tranh trong gia đình. Có lẽ chuáng ta đang vật lộn với một vấn đề tình cảm. Có lẽ có một tội lỗi nào đó mà chúng ta dường như không thể vượt qua. Có lẽ chúng ta đang vật lộn với một căn bệnh thể xác và tự hỏi tại sao Chúa lại để điều đó xảy ra. Nếu chúng ta đồng cảm với bất kỳ điều nào trong số này, hoặc bất kỳ hình thức bất toàn nào khác, thì hãy lấy cảm hứng từ gia đình Martha, Mary và Lazarô này. Hãy mời Chúa Giê-su vào ngôi nhà trong trái tim của chúng ta, mái ấm gia đình của chúng ta và mọi nơi chúng ta đến. Ngài sẽ đến, nhẹ nhàng sửa dạy chúng ta khi cần, và ban cho chúng ta món quà sự sống mới, nâng chúng ta lên để tránhg khỏi tội lỗi và những yếu đuối của mình.
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” John 11:19–22
Today’s memorial is relatively new within our Church. In the year 2021, Pope Francis replaced the Memorial of Saint Martha with this memorial in honor of all three siblings: Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In commenting on the reason for this new memorial, the Congregation for Divine Worship stated: “Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words, and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death.” Furthermore, these three siblings gave an evangelical witness to us all. They model for us how to be Christians within our imperfections. They did this by welcoming Jesus into their home, by listening to Him attentively, and by believing that He is the Resurrection and the Life.
These three siblings each had their own unique personality and loved Jesus in their own way. Though not much is said about Lazarus’ personal interactions with Jesus, we do have some helpful insights into both Martha and Mary. In one Gospel story, Martha complained to Jesus that her sister left her to do all the cooking. Jesus gently corrected her. Mary, on the other hand, gave a witness of deep prayer and love of Jesus by sitting at His feet listening to Him. However, in the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, there is a reversal of roles. Martha is the one who runs out to meet Jesus and expresses her deep faith in Him. Mary, on the other hand, heard that Jesus was coming and appeared to stay at home because she was upset.
Perhaps the most helpful way to ponder these siblings is to acknowledge two things. First, they are now saints in Heaven enjoying eternal beatitude and glory. Second, on earth they were people of faith and love, but they were also very clearly imperfect. Therefore, the witness they give to us should be twofold. We hope to share in the glory in which they now share, and we trust this will happen if we also befriend our Lord and welcome Him into our homes, imperfect though we may be.
Reflect, today, upon this holy but imperfect family. The imperfections and manifest weaknesses of these three siblings should encourage us to press on in our practice of the faith when things are not perfect in our lives either. There are many reasons why we might get discouraged or feel like doubting or giving up at times. Perhaps things are not perfect within the Church—or at the particular church you attend. Perhaps you are struggling with loving someone in your family. Perhaps you are struggling with an emotional issue. Perhaps there is some sin you seem to be incapable of overcoming. Perhaps you struggle with a physical ailment and wonder why God permitted it to happen. If you are able to relate to any of these, or any other forms of imperfection, then take inspiration from this family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Invite Jesus into the home of your heart, your family home and everywhere you go. He will come, gently correct you when needed, and give you the gift of new life, raising you up from your sins and weaknesses.
Lord, You befriended this ordinary family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. You visited their home, received their hospitality, gently corrected them when needed and eventually raised them to the new life of eternal glory. May I also welcome You into the home of my soul, within my family and into every aspect of my life. Please come to me and raise me to the newness of the life of grace. Jesus, I trust in You
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I long for the day when I will be raised to eternal life. In the meantime, I will listen to your Word each day, conform my life to that of your Son, and serve others generously. I will pour out my life without reserve, knowing that this life is short and eternal life with you awaits.
1. Lazarus of Bethany: The gospels do not tell us when the friendship between Lazarus and Jesus began or how it came about. Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, lived in Bethany, a small village two miles east of Jerusalem (John 11:18). This house was likely where Jesus stayed when he came to Jerusalem on pilgrimage three times a year. Jesus spent his nights in Bethany in the days before his Passion (Mark 11:11; 14:3). The friendship between Lazarus and Jesus probably developed before the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry or even during the first year of his public ministry. The name Lazarus is derived from the Hebrew name “Eleazar,” and means “God has helped.” The Gospel of John mentions Lazarus as “loved by Jesus” (John 11:3, 5, 36) as a friend (John 11:11). None of Lazarus’ words are recorded in the gospels. He comes across as a quiet friend who was happy to be with Jesus and spend time with him. He never complained about not being one of the twelve apostles. He didn’t aspire to a position of leadership or greatness in the Kingdom. He never tried to take advantage of his friendship with Jesus. In fact, he learned that being a true friend of Jesus meant suffering persecution: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me” (Matthew 5:11). After being restored to life by Jesus, the religious authorities sought to kill Lazarus, the friend of Jesus (John 12:10). Lazarus’ greatest joy was the fact that people came to believe in Jesus because of him (John 12:11).
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus Jul 29, 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I long for the day when I will be raised to eternal life. In the meantime, I will listen to your Word each day, conform my life to that of your Son, and serve others generously. I will pour out my life without reserve knowing that this life is short and eternal life with you awaits.
Encountering the Word of God
1. A Family of Saints: In 2021, Pope Francis decreed that July 29 should be a memorial of all three saints – Lazarus, Martha, and Mary – and not just Martha. Over the centuries, there has been some uncertainty about the identity of Mary and, for this reason, only Martha was included in the Roman Calendar. The new decree states: “In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death” (Congregation for Divine Worship, February 2, 2021). Luke introduces us to Martha and Mary as Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. Martha receives Jesus into her home. Mary, her sister, sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching, while Martha was distracted with much serving. When Martha complains that Mary has left her to serve alone, Jesus responds: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42). Saint John narrates two episodes with Martha and Mary. The first, on the occasion of the death of Lazarus (John 11:1-54), occurs sometime between the feast of the Dedication of the Temple in late December and the feast of Passover in early April. The second, the anointing at Bethany (John 12:1-7), takes place immediately before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and six days before Passover.
2. Martha’s Faith: Our Gospel today displays Martha’s deep faith in Jesus. First, she believes had Jesus been present during Lazarus’ illness, Jesus could have healed her brother and he would not have died. Second, she believes that even though her brother has been dead for four days, Jesus can still work a miracle. She doesn’t ask directly for her brother to be restored to life, but entrusts everything completely to Jesus. Third, she believes in the resurrection on the last day. She knows that her brother, who heard the Word of God and believed in the Son, sent by the Father, will rise on that last day. Fourth, she believes that those who live in Jesus and believe in him will never die. Lastly, she believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming in the world. Jesus' dialogue with Martha brings together many elements of Jesus' teaching about eternal life in the Gospel of John. His prologue affirms that in Jesus, the Word of God, is life (John 1:3). Whoever believes in Jesus, the Son of Man, will have eternal life (John 3:15-16). He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him (John 3:36). Whoever drinks of the water that Jesus shall give, will never thirst; for the water will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son will give life to whom he will. Eternal life is given to those who hears the word of Jesus and believes in the Father who sent Jesus in the world. Those who believe do not come into judgment, but have passed from death to life. The hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear the voice of the Son and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment (John 5:21-29). Unfortunately, there are some who refuse to come to Christ that they may have life (John 5:39-40). The Father will give the people true bread from heaven, Jesus himself; this bread gives life to the world. The Father's will is that Jesus lose nothing that the Father gave him, but raise it up at the last day: "For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40) Whoever eats Jesus' flesh and drinks Jesus' blood has eternal life, and Jesus will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). After the Bread of Life discourse, Peter says to Jesus: "You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God".
At the feast of Dedication, before the death of Lazarus, Jesus also teaches that his sheep hear his voice and that he knows them, and that they follow him. Jesus gives his sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of his hand (John 10:28).
3. Martha Learns How to Serve Without Anxiety: Martha’s words to Jesus show that she heard Jesus' voice and believed in him whom the Father sent. Likewise, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and heard him teach about eternal life and believed in him. Both sisters believed that their brother, Lazarus, would rise on the last day. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will not allow his friend to perish and be snatched out of his hand. Martha also is a model of generous service. It is interesting to see that when Jesus visits her home six days before Passover, Martha serves once again. This time, however, she does not complain about her sister. The Gospel says: "they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him" (John 12:2). Once again Mary is at the Lord's feet; this time she anoints his feet with pure nard and wipes them with her hair. Martha knows that her sister has once again chosen the better part, and she isn't flustered or anxious or troubled that she has been left to serve alone. She isn't distracted by serving, but rather puts her heart and soul into serving her Lord Jesus and the others with love. She knows that she can handle it and that Mary and the others will help with the dishes, while they tell her all that Jesus said and taught in her home. The raising of Lazarus is a sign of the real life that Jesus will give to all who believe in him. The irony is found in the fact that Jesus’ gift of life leads to his own death.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you found true friendship, generous service, love, and attentiveness in the house of your friends. I want to offer you the same in my family. I will work to welcome you into my home, where we serve each other out of love and listen attentively to your words.
Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, once again I renew my faith in your plan for my life. I trust in your loving providence, and I know that no one can snatch me from your hands. You know well that I love you. I wish to be more open and docile to your plan and action in my life. Take this time that I now set aside for prayer. Take my mind, will, and heart; take my gifts and talents. I lay them at your feet through this prayer. Do with me today according to your holy and loving plan. Amen.
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