St. Martha

 For today's post I have chosen a Saint that many of you may be identifying with this week. I know that I am identifying with her tonight as I bake pumpkin pies, do laundry and try to pack for a few days spent with family. Busy, busy, busy . . .

All that we know about St. Martha we learn from Scripture. She lived with her siblings Lazarus and Mary in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. Martha gets a mild reprimand from Jesus when she was "worried and upset about many things" and he tells her that "Mary has chosen what is better." (Lk 10:41-42) When Jesus comes to Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus has died, Martha makes a profound act of faith: "'Yes, Lord', she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God. who was to come into the world'" (Jn 11:27)

For me, what is so profound in this story is the intimate friendship that Martha and her siblings had with Jesus. It is obvious from the few Gospel stories that he was comfortable in their home and he loved them deeply. I need to meditate on this . . .  when I feel overwhelmed with my chores and serving others, can I remember Who I really serve? Can I remember that He is at home in my house - even when the sink is full of dirty dishes and the bed's not made? Can I remember that He loves me in the midst of all my business and stress, but He also wants me to let go of that long enough to get to know Him better?

St. Martha's feast day is July 29 (June  in the Eastern Orthodox church). She is the patron saint of butlers, cooks, dieticians, domestic servants, homemakers, hotel-keepers, housemaids, housewives, innkeepers, laundry workers, and single laywomen.