Today is the Feast day of St. Martha. Every mom can relate to the struggle Martha feels. Check out today's gospel from John 11:19-27.
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.”
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.”
How do I know this is Martha's Feast Day? I know because I have been trying to be very disciplined in my daily prayer life. A few weeks ago I committed (I should say re-committed) to spend my first cup of coffee in prayer with Jesus. I read the daily gospel and readings through my phone app and then start a Rosary (usually the first half and I finish the rest throughout the day). Today I was so happy to see this gospel message - it's one of my favorites.
I must tell you, moms, that my day is radically different now. Not radical in earthly terms (no, I don't get super-charged to clean my entire house or my kids cease to fight), but in heavenly terms. The grace and peace I feel throughout my day is hard to describe, and it is life-changing. I feel more patient. I feel more loving, more forgiving. I make better choices centered around what God wants me to do, not what I want to do. God is so good - He gives me all of this grace and peace when I simply and humbly lay my day at his feet first thing each morning and say, "Here I am Lord, help do your will."
Are you reading the gospel daily? If not, start today!
Bookmark the USCCB Daily Readings:
Download an APP for your phone or tablet:
Purchase a daily meditation book:
Back to Martha...check out the inspiring reflection for all moms on the Laudate App. What a great reminder to spend time with our Lord each day.
BTW, want to start a Moms Group? It can be as simple as getting a group of women together each week and reflect on the gospel reading.
