Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Biography

The three lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and Jesus stayed in their house. Martha strove to serve him and, later, with her prayers she obtained the resurrection of her brother. Saint John affirms that "Jesus loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus" (Jn 11, 5).

Saint Luke narrates that Mary listened to the Lord sitting at his feet, while Martha was busy with many chores. Jesus lovingly corrected her concern: “Martha, Martha, you worry and worry about many things; and there is a need for few, or better, just one. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Lk 10, 41-42).

Martha manifested deep faith when she went out to meet Jesus after the death of Lazarus. Then he received one of the central statements of the Gospel: «I am the resurrection and the life; "He who believes in me, even though he has died, will live."

Christian tradition has seen in Martha a model of service, in Mary a model of contemplative listening, and in Lazarus the friend called back to life by Christ.