Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Their story

Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, and they were among Jesus' closest friends. The Gospels tell us that Jesus loved them, and He seems to have stayed in their home when He visited Jerusalem. St. Luke tells of one visit when Martha was busy with all the work of serving, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him. Martha complained, asking Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus answered gently, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part." Later, St. John tells, Lazarus fell ill and died. When Jesus came to Bethany, Martha went out to meet Him, and He told her, "I am the resurrection and the life." She answered with a great profession of faith: "I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus wept at His friend's tomb, and then He called Lazarus out, alive. Shortly before His Passion, Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume and dried them with her hair. For many years the Church honored only Martha on this day. In 2021 Pope Francis added her sister Mary and brother Lazarus, so that the three friends of the Lord are remembered together, a family that welcomed Jesus into their home and hearts.