Memorial of St. Martha
Or (USA): Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Jesus was frequently received at their house in Bethany, and it is recorded in the Gospel of St. John that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (11:5). St. Martha is especially noted for her supplications and her manifestation of faith in the divinity of Jesus just before He resurrected Lazarus after four days in the tomb.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 26:1-9
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the house of the LORD and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. Say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth shall refer when cursing another. Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD: ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm – 69:5, 8-10, 14 (R.14c)
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal? R.
Since for your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. R.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help. R.
Gospel – Jn 11:19-27
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “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.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
OR: Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She 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.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Louis Martin, father of a family (†1894). Father of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. He led an exemplary married life with his wife, Blessed Zélie Martin, and was a model Catholic father.
St. William Pinchon, bishop (†1234). Pastor of St-Brieuc (France); ardent defender of the rights of the Church and his flock.
St. Lupus of Troyes, bishop (†circa 478). Monk from the Abbey of Lérins, elected Bishop of Troyes, France. He defended the city from the fury of the Huns. Together with St. Germanus of Auxerre he fought the Pelagian heresy in England.
Blessed John Baptist Egozcuezábal Aldaz, religious and martyr (†1936). Brother of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, who was killed near Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War.
St. Olaf, king (†1030). King of Norway, after his conversion, he attempted to spread the Faith and eradicate idolatry in his kingdom, requesting missionaries from England for this task. But he faced great resistance on the part of rebellious nobles, and was driven from his kingdom and later slain in battle.
Blesseds Louis Bertran, Mancius of the Holy Cross and Peter of Santa Maria, martyrs (†1627). The first two were Spanish missionaries, and the third a Japanese convert, all Dominicans, who were burned alive in Omura, Japan, out of hatred for the Faith.
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