July 29, 2022
Memorial for Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
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“Martha, Martha, you dey anxious and worry about plenty things. Na only one thing dey necessary. Mary don choose the better part, and nobody go take am from her.” Luke 10:41–42
Before now, na only Saint Martha we dey honour for today memorial. But on February 2, 2021, Pope Francis expand this memorial to include Martha sister and brother, Mary and Lazarus. So today, we dey celebrate these three people wey be siblings together.
Martha, Mary and Lazarus na close friends of Jesus. Dem dey live for Bethany, wey no too far from Jerusalem. People remember Martha especially because of the story where she dey prepare food for Jesus, while her sister, Mary, sit down for Jesus feet dey listen to Him, come leave all the work for Martha. Martha complain to Jesus, dey beg Him say, “Tell her make she help me.” The gentle correction wey Jesus give her because of this request na wetin dem quote above.
People also know Mary because of the story above, where she sit down for Jesus feet. According to tradition, people don dey see this as sign of contemplative prayer. For John Gospel, dem also present her as the person wey pour one full jar of costly perfume oil for Jesus feet and use her hair dry them, just six days before Jesus die. Even though tradition from the Middle Ages don sometimes link Mary of Bethany with Mary of Magdala and with the sinful woman wey anoint Jesus feet (Luke 7:36–50), most scholars today agree say na three different Marys. In fact, one reason why Pope Francis add Mary of Bethany to this memorial wey we dey celebrate today na so that dem go honour her with liturgical memorial wey no go mix her up with Mary of Magdala.
Of course, people know Lazarus well because Jesus bring am back to life after e don die and stay inside tomb for four days. The Gospels no talk much else about Lazarus, apart from say the Pharisees want arrest am for the same time wey dem dey also try to arrest Jesus, and say na brother of Martha and Mary e be.
Why we get this memorial wey dey honour all three siblings together? When dem establish this memorial, the Congregation for Divine Worship talk say, “For the household for Bethany, the Lord Jesus experience the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and na for this reason the Gospel of John talk say He love them.” As we dey honour these siblings together, e dey especially remind us how important e be to remain close to family and invite Jesus into our family. Martha, Mary and Lazarus live together and share life of love. Dem invite Jesus into their family life, and He accept their invitation. As Jesus choose to make friends with this family, e show say He want unite every family and make friends with each member of every family, so that na Him go be the main source of the love and unity wey dem share. Family love get important place for our life as human beings. And even though no be every family get unity and love for one another, we no must ever forget say God want enter every family just as He do with Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Today, think deeply about your own family. For which ways Jesus want make His friendship with you grow closer? How He want enter your family life and use His love strengthen am? And how He want use you to help? Even if your family dey struggle for different ways, know say God want love you and your family the same way He love the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Even though dem no perfect, He still love them. And He want do the same for you and your family.
My loving Jesus, You choose to love the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. As You do so, You also show us say You want love all families with holy love. I invite You into my life and into my family, dear Lord. Abeg, strengthen wetin join us together, bring unity and respect for one another. Abeg, remove any hurt and division from the past, and help every family to share more fully for Your friendship and love. Jesus, I love You. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today: Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Readings for Mass Wey You Fit Choose
Picture wey dem feature: Andrewrabbott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
