Memorial of Saint Martha

Today is the memorial of Saint Martha, a saint that I can easily relate to, as we are much alike. Now, you cannot call me a saint. However, we both share the same desire to complete our chores. We have priorities. And yet, like Martha, I tend to let those priorities get in the way of the better part; that of listening to Jesus.

Martha, the Worry Wart

As we read in the Gospel passage from Luke, Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, was always concerned with the chores and serving:

Martha “had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha burdened with much serving, came to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.’ The Lord said to her in reply, ‘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’” (Luke 10:39-42).

Like Martha, I fixate on the daily to-do list. I sometimes forget to stop and simply listen to Jesus. I always say that I want to be more like Mary, yet I find myself acting more like Martha.

Saint Martha, the Believer

We see Martha, once again, in the Gospel of John, due to the death of her brother Lazarus. As Jesus arrives in the village, Martha... Read more...