Jesus' Love for Martha

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martha, a close friend of Jesus.  She is the one who asked Jesus to tell her sister Mary to help her in meeting their hospitality responsibilities when He visited them.  Jesus is very honest with Martha and says to her:  Mary has chosen the better part, that is, sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. That is not to say that service is not important. Both are! We need to balance both of these ways of serving the Lord. Martha also witnesses to her faith in Jesus when He came to visit them four days after Lazarus had died. She says to Him: “If you had been here, my brother would never have died.  Even now, I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus says to her: “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replies: “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”   Jesus tells her: "I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he should die, will  come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that  you are the Messiah, the Son of God: he who is to come into the world.”  (John 11: 19-27).

Do you believe? How strong is your faith? How confident are you in Jesus as the Messiah?  Do you have a relationship with Jesus as did Martha? She was very natural with Jesus, very open and honest with Him. She complained to Him. She challenged Him. She shared her hopes with Him. She served Him. She shared her beliefs with Him. She shared her love with Him. 

Lord, may we grow in our faith as Martha did! May we be as honest with you as she was. May we rejoice in your visits as she did, go out to meet you as she did. May we grow to know you as intimately as she did. I ask for these grace in Your name.