Saint of the day · July 29
Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
MemorialWednesday, week 17 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : White
On July 29th, the Church honors Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany, close friends of Jesus who appear several times in the Gospels. Martha is often remembered for her hospitality, her practical service, and her profession of faith in Christ as the resurrection and the life (John 11). Mary is known for her contemplative spirit, especially in the story where she listens at Christ's feet while Martha serves, and also as the woman who anointed Jesus. Lazarus is most famous for having been raised from the dead by Jesus, an event that prefigured Jesus' own resurrection and demonstrated His power over death. Traditionally, the Church had a separate memorial for St. Martha, but more recently, Mary and Lazarus have been joined to this celebration in recognition of their shared witness as a family united in love for Christ. Their combined feast invites all Christians to grow in faith, hope, and charity, to balance action and contemplation, and to recognize that holiness flourishes not only in solitude, but within the bonds of family and friendship. This memorial encourages believers to trust in Jesus, as Martha did in the midst of suffering, and to embrace both the active and prayerful dimensions of Christian life.
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Mass readings
"Why is my suffering endless? – If you return, you will resume your service before me" — Jr 15, 10.16-21
Woe to me, O my mother,
that you bore me,
a man of strife and contention for the whole land.
I have not lent to anyone nor borrowed from anyone,
yet everyone curses me!
Lord, when I found your words, I devoured them;
they were my joy and my heart's delight,
because your name was called upon me,
Lord, God of hosts.
I never sat in the company of mockers
to have fun;
under the weight of your hand, I sat apart,
because you filled me with indignation.
Why is my suffering endless,
my wound incurable, refusing to heal?
Would you be for me a mirage,
like a deceptive stream?
That is why, thus says the Lord:
"If you return, if I bring you back,
you will resume your service before me.
If you separate what is precious from what is worthless,
you will be as my own mouth.
It is they who will come back to you,
not you who will return to them.
I make you, for this people,
an impregnable bronze wall;
they will fight against you,
but they will not prevail over you,
because I am with you to save you and deliver you
– says the Lord.
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked,
I will free you from the grip of the mighty."
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 58 (59), 2-3, 4-5ab, 10-11, 17, 18
Deliver me from my enemies, my God;
protect me from my attackers.
Deliver me from evil men;
save me from murderers.
See, they prepare an ambush against me:
powerful men pounce on me.
I have committed no fault, no sin, no wrong, Lord,
yet they rush forward and take position.
Near you, my fortress, I keep watch;
yes, God is my stronghold!
The God of my love comes to me:
with him I defy my enemies.
But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will acclaim your love.
You have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in times of trouble.
I will celebrate you, my fortress:
yes, God is my stronghold,
the God of my love.
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things" — Lc 10, 38-42
At that time,
Jesus entered a village.
A woman named Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister called Mary
who, sitting at the Lord's feet, was listening to his word.
But Martha was distracted
by all the tasks of serving.
She came forward and said:
"Lord, does it not matter to you
that my sister has left me to do the serving alone?
Tell her then to help me."
The Lord answered her:
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and troubled about many things.
Only one thing is necessary.
Mary has chosen the better part,
it will not be taken away from her."
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
(One may also take the Gospel of Jn 11:19-27; either one)
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org