Daily Masses - feast day of Saint Martha (Wednesday)

I arranged two Masses on Wednesday, because a request came at short notice to pray for the repose of the soul of Al Winandy (+). Mass yesterday was offered first for the deceased members of the Lloyd and Murphy families (++). May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Saint Martha is an interesting Saint, whom we know mainly from two stories in the Gospels, although she, her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus were good friends with Christ and hosted Him at their home in Bethany, on His visits to Jerusalem from Galilee. Bethany was a village just over the Mount of Olives, towards the east, so a short walk from the Holy City. The first story is about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, when Martha made an extraordinary confession of faith, like unto the famous confession of Saint Peter:

"Martha, when she heard that Jesus had come, went out to meet Him, while Mary sat on in the house. 'Lord,' said Martha to Jesus, 'if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died; and I know well that even now God will grant whatever Thou wilt ask of him.' 'Thy brother,' Jesus said to her, 'will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know well enough that he will rise again at the resurrection, when the last day comes.' Jesus said to her, 'I AM the resurrection and life; he who believes in Me, though he is dead, will live on, and whoever has life, and has faith in Me, to all eternity cannot die. Dost thou believe this?' 'Yes,' Lord, she told him, 'I have learned to believe that Thou art the Christ; Thou art the Son of the living God; it is for Thy coming the world has waited." - Gospel of John, 11: 20-27

The other story is from that house in Bethany, when Martha complains to Christ that her sister Mary won't help with the housework, because she's too busy listening to His sermons. He famously replied:

"Martha was distracted by waiting on many needs; so she came to His side, and asked, 'Lord, art Thou content that my sister should leave me to do the serving alone? Come, bid her help me.' Jesus answered her, 'Martha, Martha, how many cares and troubles thou hast! But only one thing is necessary; and Mary has chosen for herself the best part of all, that which shall never be taken away from her.'" - Gospel of S. Luke, 10: 40-42

That seems to show Martha in a bad light, but it's a difference of approach. Martha's devotion was different - more practical - and Christ was travelling with a whole troop of Apostles and associates. Somebody had to carry those large jars and things around. We find it easier to understand Martha, because most of us are marthas - we bustle around and try to look after people. Christ doesn't mean that we shouldn't do that. It is, after all, necessary. But he points out another, better way. Luke ends on that line, in his story, so we don't know anymore. If I had any imagination at all, I would say that Christ sent Mary off to the housework at once, and Martha took her opportunity at the feet of the Master. For we, all of us, through our lives of prayer, must be both marthas and marys.