St Martha had a younger sister Mary and an older brother Lazarus. They lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem and was one of the group of faithful women followers of Jesus.
When Jesus came to visit their home, she was left to do all the food preparation while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His wonderful stories. Frustrated, Martha went to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her”. (Luke 10:38-42)
Martha witnessed Jesus’ miraculous raising of her brother Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus returned to Bethany, four days after Lazarus’ death, she went out to meet him and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will grant you”. (John 11:21-22).
Around 48AD, after Jesus’ resurrection, Martha left Judea with Mary and Lazarus. They settled in Avignon, France and according to legend, Martha, having spent her remaining days in prayer and fasting, died and was buried in Tarascon, France.
St Martha’s Feast Day is the 29th July. Her Patronages include butlers, cooks, dietitians, servants and housewives.
St Martha:
Pray for us that we will have the patience to wait on the Lord without fear or worry.
Glory be to the…
