Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were siblings from Bethany, beloved friends of Jesus, known respectively for active service, contemplative devotion, and being raised from the dead, exemplifying different facets of discipleship.
Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were a devoted family residing in Bethany, whose home served as a frequent and beloved sanctuary for Jesus and His disciples during His public ministry. Martha is revered for her diligent hospitality and active service, famously expressing her unwavering faith in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God even before the resurrection of her brother. Mary, in contrast, is celebrated for her profound contemplative spirit, prioritizing listening to Jesus' teachings and anointing His feet, thus embodying the importance of spiritual devotion. Lazarus, their brother, is most notably remembered for the miraculous event of being raised from the dead by Jesus, a powerful demonstration of Christ's dominion over life and death, which profoundly impacted many and further solidified belief in Jesus' divine power. Together, they represent the balance of active service and contemplative prayer within the life of a follower, and the promise of resurrection.
In the quiet village of Bethany, nestled near the bustling city of Jerusalem, lived three siblings whose lives would become eternally intertwined with the very heart of the Christian narrative: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Their home was not merely a dwelling but a cherished sanctuary, a place of respite and deep affection for Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. It was a haven where the Lord could find solace, friendship, and a warm welcome away from the crowds and the demands of His public life, illustrating the profound personal relationships Jesus cultivated with His followers. This intimate friendship forms the foundation of their enduring importance in the Christian tradition, showcasing different yet complementary forms of discipleship.
Martha, the elder sister, is prominently featured in the Gospel of Luke as a woman of bustling activity and dedicated service. When Jesus visited their home, it was Martha who took on the responsibility of hospitality, diligently preparing and serving. Yet, her industrious nature led to a moment of gentle reproof from the Lord. Distracted by her many tasks, she approached Jesus, complaining that her sister Mary had left her to serve alone. Jesus' response, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her,” is not a condemnation of service itself, but a profound teaching on the prioritization of spiritual listening and contemplation over temporal concerns. Nevertheless, Martha's deep faith is undeniable; she famously declared her belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, even before the miraculous resurrection of her brother, demonstrating a robust and active faith.
Mary, in stark contrast to her sister, embodies the contemplative dimension of faith. While Martha was occupied with preparations, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, absorbing every word of His teaching. This posture signifies profound reverence and a prioritization of spiritual nourishment. Her devotion is further highlighted in the Gospel of John, where she anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfumed oil and wipes them with her hair, an act of extravagant love and humility. When Judas Iscariot and others criticized this act as wasteful, Jesus defended Mary, recognizing her prophetic gesture as preparation for His burial. Mary's actions underscore the vital importance of interior life, prayer, and undivided attention to the Lord's presence and word, teaching generations of believers the value of the 'better part'—a deep, personal relationship with Christ.
Lazarus, the brother, is central to one of the most dramatic and significant miracles performed by Jesus: his resurrection from the dead, recounted in John Chapter 11. When Lazarus fell gravely ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus, confident in His power to heal. However, Jesus deliberately delayed His arrival, allowing Lazarus to die and be in the tomb for four days, a duration that left no doubt as to his death. Upon Jesus' arrival, both Martha and Mary expressed their sorrow and their belief that had Jesus been present, their brother would not have died. It was to Martha that Jesus uttered the profound declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” The scene at the tomb, where Jesus wept, profoundly demonstrates His humanity and compassion, before He commanded, with divine authority, “Lazarus, come out!” The sight of Lazarus emerging from the tomb, still bound in burial cloths, was an irrefutable sign of Jesus' power over death.
This astounding miracle had a dual impact: it solidified the faith of many who witnessed it, drawing more people to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but it also intensified the animosity of the Jewish authorities, who saw Jesus' growing influence as a threat. The raising of Lazarus was a pivotal event that directly contributed to the Sanhedrin's decision to plot Jesus' death. Furthermore, it served as a powerful prefigurement of Jesus' own resurrection, offering a tangible glimpse of the new life promised to all who believe in Him. The family of Bethany became living witnesses to this ultimate display of divine power, their home a testament to the reality of God's saving action.
Together, Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus offer a rich and multifaceted model of Christian discipleship. Martha represents the *vita activa*, the active life of service, charity, and practical engagement in the world, reminding us that faith must be lived out in deeds. Mary embodies the *vita contemplativa*, the contemplative life of prayer, listening, and intimate union with God, teaching the necessity of spiritual nourishment. Lazarus, through his resurrection, stands as a powerful symbol of the hope of eternal life, the triumph over death, and the new life in Christ that is accessible through faith. The Church, recognizing their collective witness, now celebrates their joint feast day on July 29th, honoring these beloved friends of Jesus who, through their distinct gifts and experiences, perfectly illustrate the balance of faith, service, and the promise of resurrection at the heart of the Gospel.
In the quiet village of Bethany, where the air often carried the scent of olive trees and ancient stone, lived a family beloved by Jesus: Martha, Mary, and their brother, Lazarus. Their home was a haven, a place of peace and friendship for the Lord. One day, a chilling message reached Jesus: “Lord, behold, he whom you love is ill.” Lazarus, their dear brother, lay gravely sick. Martha and Mary, their hearts heavy with worry, knew that if Jesus were present, their brother would surely live. Yet, to their anguish, Jesus delayed His coming, remaining where He was for two more days.
By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, the unthinkable had happened. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. The village was filled with mourners, a shroud of grief hanging over the familiar paths. As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, her practical, active spirit compelled her to go out and meet Him. Her words, though tinged with sorrow, were a testament to her unwavering faith: “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.” It was to this woman of service and action that Jesus spoke one of the most profound declarations of His divinity: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” And with a heart bursting with conviction, Martha replied, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
Returning to the house, Martha quietly called her sister, Mary, whispering, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.” Mary, the contemplative one, whose deepest devotion lay in listening at Jesus' feet, rose immediately. When she found Him, her grief, less vocal but no less profound than Martha's, poured forth as she fell at His feet, uttering the same sorrowful words: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Seeing her weep, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, Jesus was deeply moved, His spirit troubled. He felt the sting of human sorrow, the pain of death, even as He knew the triumph that lay ahead.
“Where have you laid him?” Jesus asked, His voice heavy with emotion. They led Him to the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. And there, before the tomb of His beloved friend, Jesus wept. His tears, a poignant testament to His true humanity, showed His immense compassion for the suffering of His friends. Then, with a voice that carried the weight of divine authority, He commanded, “Take away the stone.” Martha, ever the pragmatist, interjected, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” But Jesus gently reminded her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they rolled away the stone. Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed, thanking His Father for hearing Him, and declaring that He spoke for the sake of the crowd, that they might believe He was sent by God. Then, with a mighty voice that pierced the silence of death itself, He cried out, “Lazarus, come out!” And from the darkness of the tomb, bound hand and foot with burial bands, his face wrapped in a cloth, Lazarus emerged. The onlookers gasped, some falling to their knees, others weeping tears of joy and awe. Jesus then commanded, “Untie him and let him go.”
The miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection was more than just a restoration of life; it was a profound revelation of Jesus’s identity as the Lord of life and death, the very Resurrection itself. For Martha, it was the vindication of her active faith; for Mary, the ultimate answer to her contemplative yearning; and for Lazarus, a testament to the new life offered to all who believe. This family, through their love, their sorrow, and their witness to this unparalleled miracle, forever stands as a beacon of hope and a living illustration of the power of faith in Christ, demonstrating that both diligent service and profound contemplation lead to the glory of God.
c. 417 AD
Martha and Mary, two sisters, were hospitably entertaining the Lord. Martha was occupied with much serving, Mary was sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to his word. Martha was complaining about her sister, and the Lord defended Mary. Let us listen to what he said, and let us understand, if we can, what he meant to convey. Martha, Martha, he said, you are anxious and worried about many things; but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, which shall not be taken away from her. The two sisters, Martha and Mary, were both good, both devout, both beloved by the Lord. Both were serving him, but in different ways. Martha was serving him in a bodily way, providing for his needs; Mary was serving him in a spiritual way, listening to his word. Martha was busy, Mary was at rest. Martha was in the midst of the clamor of the world, Mary was in the quiet of contemplation. Martha was engaged in the affairs of time, Mary was fixed on the things of eternity.
The Lord did not blame Martha for her service, but he praised Mary for her choice. He did not say that Martha’s service was bad, but that Mary’s part was better. For indeed, both are good, both are necessary. The active life and the contemplative life are both essential for the Church. The active life is that by which we serve our neighbor, by which we minister to the needs of others, by which we work for the good of society. The contemplative life is that by which we devote ourselves to God alone, by which we meditate on his word, by which we pray and praise him. The active life is like Martha, busy with many things; the contemplative life is like Mary, sitting at the feet of the Lord.
But why did the Lord say, Only one thing is necessary? Does this mean that Martha’s many things were unnecessary? No, it means that among the many things that Martha was doing, there was one thing that was supremely necessary, and that was the love of God. All her service, all her hospitality, all her care for the Lord, would have been in vain if it had not been animated by love. For love is the fulfillment of the law, and without love, all our works are empty. And Mary, by sitting at the feet of the Lord and listening to his word, was choosing the very source of love. For the word of God enlightens us, purifies us, inflames us with love. And so, in a sense, Mary was choosing the one thing necessary, which is love itself.
Furthermore, the Lord said, Mary has chosen the better part, which shall not be taken away from her. This is a crucial point. Martha’s service, though good and necessary in its time, was temporal. It was concerned with the fleeting needs of this life. When this life passes away, her serving will cease. But Mary’s part, her contemplation of the eternal Word, is something that will endure forever. In the heavenly kingdom, there will be no need for service in the same way as there is now. There will be no hunger to feed, no thirst to quench, no strangers to welcome. All these bodily needs will have passed away. But the contemplation of God, the enjoyment of his presence, the listening to his eternal truth—this will be our eternal delight, our unending portion.
Therefore, while both lives are important and both are commendable, the contemplative life is superior because it points to our ultimate destiny. It is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a glimpse of that eternal rest where we shall see God face to face. We are all on a journey in this life, and during this journey, we need both Martha and Mary. We need Martha to provide for our bodily needs, to care for our fellow travelers, to build up the earthly city. But we also need Mary to remind us of our true home, to nourish our souls with the divine word, to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal goal. Let us strive to combine both, to serve with Martha’s hands and to listen with Mary’s heart, always remembering that the one thing necessary is love, and that the better part is that which shall not be taken away from us in eternity.
Thus, the Lord’s words to Martha were not a rebuke but an invitation to a deeper understanding. He was not devaluing her service but elevating Mary’s choice as a signpost to the ultimate truth. In Martha, we see the diligent servant of Christ; in Mary, the devoted listener to Christ. Both are essential for the Church, both contribute to the fullness of Christian life, both lead us to God. But the one part, the contemplation of God, is that which will remain when all else passes away.
Placing a statue or image of Saint Martha in the kitchen, often with a broom or keys, as a symbol of her patronage over housekeepers, cooks, and domestic life.
This tradition stems from Saint Martha's biblical role as a diligent homemaker who actively served Jesus and His disciples in her home in Bethany, making her a patron of domestic duties and hospitality.
The legend and local veneration of Saint Martha for taming the Tarasque, a mythical dragon-like beast.
According to a medieval pious legend originating in Provence, France, Saint Martha tamed a fearsome monster called the Tarasque, symbolizing the triumph of faith over evil and wild forces.
Veneration of Saint Lazarus as a powerful intercessor for the sick, the poor, and those suffering from skin diseases, often involving special prayers and offerings for healing.
This tradition is associated with Saint Lazarus due to his miraculous resurrection by Jesus, signifying his connection to healing and triumph over illness and death. While sometimes conflated with Lazarus the beggar, the biblical Lazarus of Bethany is invoked for his direct experience with Jesus's power over death.
The unified liturgical celebration of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus on July 29th in the General Roman Calendar.
The Holy See updated the calendar in 2021 to include all three siblings, emphasizing their collective witness to Jesus and highlighting the harmonious balance between active service (Martha), contemplative prayer (Mary), and the hope of resurrection (Lazarus) in Christian life.