July 29, 2025

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

John 11:19-27

In this scene, Lazarus has died and has been buried in a cave tomb, as was the custom. When his sister Martha hears that Jesus is coming, she goes out to meet him, while her other sister Mary sits at home. Martha says 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 replies, “Your brother will rise.”  Martha thinks Jesus means the resurrection on the last day, but Jesus means in the present moment, very soon, Lazarus will rise from the dead. 

At this, the conversation takes a radically profound turn. Jesus tells Martha, “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?” Martha responds, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

In the Gospels, the sisters Mary and Martha represent the two sides of our Christian path, the contemplative and the active life of service.  For example in Luke 10:38-42, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening to his teaching, while Martha is busy in the kitchen and serving the guests. When Martha complains that Mary is not helping her, Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part, the path of contemplative prayer.

In the story of Lazarus, this theme continues. Mary remains at home grieving, while Martha takes the active part and comes out to meet Jesus on his way there.  Neither way, contemplative or active, is inherently better, but because Martha come out here and engaged with the Lord, we have his words for eternity: “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.”

Mary and Martha represent two aspects of ourselves, inner reflection and the outer activity, yet these are not two; they are not separate.  Just as Mary and Martha are sisters, so too contemplation and activity are one continuum.  Many times in modern life, we may set aside time for meditation or prayer, but the needs of family and friends intervene and pull us away. We should not regret this or feel badly about it.  Jesus said that contemplation is the better part because it is the root; it helps us see clearly which way to go.  But active service is also an expression of God’s will, so they are one continuous part of life in God. 

We see this also in Jesus’ life. Sometimes he taught and healed all day, and then withdrew to a quiet place to pray in the evening or even all night.  Sometimes he planned to find someplace quiet to rest and pray, but when he saw the crowds of people who needed him, his heart was moved with pity and he kept teaching. So it is with us. Contemplation and activity are part of one dance, one ebb and flow in the Spirit, and neither should be regretted.