Satide, July 29, 2023
Memorial to Honour Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Listen for English
Plenty Jews don come meet Martha and Mary to comfort dem because of their brother [Lazarus, wey don die]. When Martha hear say Jesus dey come, she go meet Him; but Mary remain for house. Martha tell Jesus, “Lord, if You bin dey here, my brother for no die. But even now, I know say anything wey You ask God, God go give You.” John 11:19–22
This memorial wey we dey celebrate today still fairly new for our Church. For the year 2021, Pope Francis replace the Memorial for Saint Martha with this memorial to honour all three of dem wey be siblings: Martha, Mary and Lazarus. As the Congregation for Divine Worship dey explain why dem introduce this new memorial, dem talk say: “Martha welcome am with open heart and care for am, Mary listen well to im words, and Lazarus come out from the tomb at once when the One wey disgrace death command am.” Apart from this, these three siblings use their lives bear witness to the Gospel for all of us. Dem show us how to be Christians even though we no perfect. Dem do this as dem welcome Jesus into their house, listen well to Him, and believe say na Him be the Resurrection and the Life.
Each of these three siblings get im own special character, and each one love Jesus for im own way. Even though we no hear much about how Lazarus and Jesus relate personally, we get some things wey help us understand Martha and Mary. For one Gospel story, Martha complain to Jesus say her sister leave only her to do all the cooking. Jesus gently correct her. But Mary show us deep prayer and love for Jesus as she sit for His feet dey listen to Him. However, for the story of how Jesus raise Lazarus from death, their roles change. Na Martha run go meet Jesus and express her deep faith in Him. But Mary hear say Jesus dey come, and e be like say she remain for house because she dey upset.
Maybe the way wey go help us pass to reflect on these siblings na to recognise two things. First, dem don become saints for Heaven now, where dem dey enjoy happiness and glory wey no go ever end. Second, when dem dey earth, dem be people wey get faith and love, but e still clear well-well say dem no perfect. So, the witness wey their lives give us suppose teach us two things. We get hope say we go share for the glory wey dem dey share now, and we trust say this go happen if we too become friends of our Lord and welcome Him into our homes, even though we no perfect.
Today, reflect on this holy family wey no perfect. The imperfections and weaknesses wey show clearly for these three siblings suppose encourage us to continue to practise our faith, even when things for our own lives no perfect too. Plenty reasons dey why we fit lose courage, begin doubt or feel like giving up sometimes. Maybe things no perfect inside the Church—or for the particular church wey you dey attend. Maybe e dey hard you to love somebody for your family. Maybe you dey struggle with one matter wey dey trouble your feelings. Maybe one sin dey wey e be like say you no fit overcome. Maybe you dey struggle with sickness for your body, and you dey wonder why God allow am happen. If any of these things concern you, or you dey face any other kind of imperfection, make this family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus encourage you. Invite Jesus into the home wey be your heart, into your family house and everywhere wey you go. He go come, gently correct you when you need am, and give you the gift of new life, as He dey raise you up from your sins and weaknesses.
Lord, You become friend of this ordinary family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. You visit their house, accept the welcome and care wey dem give You, gently correct dem when dem need am, and at last raise dem to the new life of glory wey no go ever end. Make I too welcome You into the home wey be my soul, into my family and into every part of my life. Abeg, come to me and raise me into newness of the life of grace. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saint of the Day – Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Main picture above: Jesus dey raise Lazarus, through flickr
