Memorial of St. Martha
Or: 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 – Ex 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and, rising early the next day, he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then, having sent certain young men of the children of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD, Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls; the other half he splashed on the altar. Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.” Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of His.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15 (R. 14a)
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth. R.
“Gather my faithful ones before Me,
those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim His justice;
for God Himself is the judge. R.
“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon Me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify Me.” 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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