Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were siblings who lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. They were close friends of Jesus. He often visited their home. Each sibling had a special relationship with Jesus.

Martha is known for her hospitality. She welcomed Jesus into her home and served Him with care. She sometimes worried too much about the details. But Jesus gently reminded her to focus on what truly mattered.

Mary, Martha’s sister, showed her love for Jesus in a different way. She sat at His feet and listened to His teachings. She also anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. This act showed her deep love and respect for Him.

Lazarus, their brother, was also loved by Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill and died, Jesus performed a great miracle. He raised Lazarus from the dead. This event showed Jesus’ power over life and death.

Saint Martha was known for her hospitality. She welcomed Jesus into her home. She worked hard to make everything perfect for Him. She wanted everything to be just right.

Martha sometimes got overwhelmed with her tasks. One time, she asked Jesus to tell her sister Mary to help her. Jesus gently told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part by listening to Him. This taught Martha to focus on what really matters.

Martha was also a woman of faith. When her brother Lazarus died, she believed Jesus could help. Even when Lazarus was in the tomb, Martha trusted Jesus and professed her faith in him. She believed in His power.

Martha’s story reminds us to balance our work with our faith. It teaches us to trust Jesus and focus on what is truly important. Martha showed love through her service, but she learned to also listen and believe.

Saint Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She loved to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him. Mary valued His words and teachings. She showed her love by paying close attention to Jesus.

One day, Mary did something very special. She took expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. Then, she wiped His feet with her hair. This act of love and respect was noticed by everyone present.

Some people did not understand Mary’s actions. They thought the perfume should have been sold to help the poor. But Jesus defended Mary. He said she had done a beautiful thing for Him. This showed how much Jesus valued her love and devotion.

Mary’s story teaches us the importance of listening to Jesus and showing our love for Him. She reminds us to take time to be with Jesus and learn from Him. Mary’s example encourages us to put Jesus first in our lives.

Saint Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary. He lived in Bethany and was a close friend of Jesus. One day, Lazarus became very sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, asking Him to come and help.

Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters very much. But He did not come right away. Instead, Jesus waited for two days. When He finally arrived, Lazarus had already died and was in the tomb for four days.

Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and wept. He asked for the stone to be rolled away. Then He called out, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus came out, alive and well. This miracle showed Jesus’ power over death.

Learn more about the raising of Lazarus

Lazarus’ story teaches us about faith and trust in Jesus. Even when things seem hopeless, Jesus can bring new life. Lazarus reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even in the hardest times.

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. Their lives show us important lessons about faith and love. Lazarus was brought back to life by Jesus. Mary loved to listen to Jesus and learn from Him. Martha showed her love by serving Jesus.

Their stories teach us to have strong faith and to focus on growing closer to Jesus. We can learn to love and serve Jesus better by following their examples. We can also ask for their prayers as we try to live holy lives.

The feast day of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is July 29. It used to be just for Saint Martha. But on January 26, 2021, Pope Francis made it a day to honor all three siblings.

Lessons in Faith and Friendship

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus show us what it means to live in friendship with Jesus. Their home was a place where Jesus felt welcome, and they each shared a deep bond with Him. Their lives remind us that Jesus wants to be close to us too, not just as our Savior, but also as our friend.

Martha teaches us about the importance of service. She worked hard to make sure Jesus and others felt cared for. But sometimes she became distracted by her tasks. Jesus gently reminded her to focus on Him first. This shows us the need to balance our responsibilities with time for prayer and faith.

Mary reminds us to stop and listen. She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His words. This wasn’t about avoiding work but about giving Jesus her full attention. Mary’s example invites us to slow down and spend time with Jesus, especially when life feels busy or stressful.

Lazarus teaches us to trust Jesus, even in hard times. When Lazarus died, his sisters were heartbroken. But Jesus came and showed His love by raising Lazarus from the dead. This story gives us hope and reminds us that Jesus is with us, even when things seem impossible.

Reflection Questions:

• How can you make space for Jesus in your daily life?
• Do you struggle to balance work, prayer, and rest? What can you do to adjust?
• When life feels difficult, how can you show trust in Jesus?

Welcoming Like Martha

Saint Martha showed her love for Jesus by serving him in her home. She reminds us that hospitality is a real way to live out our faith. Making space for others, feeding them, and making them feel seen is part of building Christian community.

Martha also needed the reminder to slow down and listen. Jesus didn’t dismiss her efforts—he invited her to stay rooted in him. We’re called to do both: serve with love and pause to pray. This balance helps us grow and makes our parishes more welcoming and alive.

The Cosmic Warrior Confronting Death

From Bishop Robert Barron. In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares himself as the resurrection and the life, emphasizing his role as a cosmic warrior battling against the forces that hinder true life. While some may portray Jesus as a gentle moral teacher, the Gospels present him as a powerful force confronting the effects of death in society.

Jesus addresses violence, hatred, egotism, exclusion, false religion, and artificial community, but his ultimate adversary is death itself. Like Frodo facing Mordor, Jesus enters the domain of death, engaging in close combat to overcome it. At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus displays profound emotions, demonstrating God’s willingness to fully experience the darkness and agony of human death.

Welcoming, Listening, and Believing Like Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

In the USCCB reflection for the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, we are reminded of the important lessons from this holy family. Pope Francis highlighted their example of welcoming Jesus into their home, listening attentively to his word, and believing that he is the resurrection and the life. These three actions—hospitality, attentiveness, and faith—are key in our own spiritual lives.

The reflection encourages us to welcome Jesus through others, seek deeper understanding through prayer, and trust in Jesus as the resurrection and the life, just as Martha, Mary, and Lazarus did.

Distraction Free Zone: Lesson Plan on Martha and Mary

The lesson plan “Distraction Free Zone” focuses on the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was busy serving, while Mary sat and listened to Jesus. Jesus gently reminded Martha that Mary had chosen the better part by listening to him.

This lesson plan encourages youth to reflect on how distractions impact their spiritual lives. It emphasizes the importance of making time for God amidst life’s busyness. By exploring the story of Martha and Mary, young people can learn to balance their responsibilities with their relationship with God.