Martha, Mary, Lazarus as Three Faces, One Mission

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Seventeenth Week :  Tuesday*

*Gospel : Luke 10:38-42*

*First Reading : 1 Jn 4:7-16*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11*

*Feast of Martha, Mary & Lazarus*

*Martha, Mary, Lazarus as Three Faces, One Mission*

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as three aspects of one person or one unified mission—not separate callings, but three dimensions of every disciple’s life and mission. 

In this sense, their lives reflect a holistic model of Christian discipleship: action, contemplation, and transformation as one unified movement of grace.

*1) Martha — The Outer Life: Action and Service*

Martha represents our active life—the hands that serve, organize, host, and respond to the world's needs. 

She teaches us that mission includes tangible love, meeting physical needs, and building up the Church through work and effort.

But Jesus gently reminds her that action must not disconnect us from Him. 

When service becomes anxious or self-driven, it loses its spiritual fruit.

*“You are anxious and troubled about many things…”* (Luke 10:41)

We are called to serve, but from a place of peace and rootedness in Christ*

*2) Mary — The Inner Life: Contemplation and Presence*

Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening, learning, loving. 

She symbolizes our inner life—a soul attentive to God, open to mystery, and surrendered in worship.

Jesus says she chose the *“better part”*, not because it was superior to service, but because it’s foundational.

Contemplation fuels meaningful action.

*“Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”* (Luke 10:42)

We are called to listen to the Lord, to pray, to love, to be present before we act.

*3) Lazarus — The Transformed Life: Witness and Resurrection*

Lazarus, once dead, now lives. He is the resurrected self—a person transformed by the power of Christ. 

His life becomes a sign. Without saying a word, he preaches through being.

People come to see Lazarus not for what he says, but for what he has become—a man who was once dead but now alive in Christ.

*“Because on account of him many were believing in Jesus.”* (John 12:11)

We are called to become living witnesses, changed by grace. Your very being can proclaim the Gospel.

*4) One Mission: The Integrated Disciple*

Rather than seeing Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as three separate individuals with different missions, we can see them as a symbolic trinity of discipleship within us:

Martha - Outer Life Service (Hands) - What I do for others

Mary - Inner Life Contemplation (Heart) - How I relate to Christ

Lazarus - Transformed Life Witness (Being) - Who I become in Christ

In every true disciple:

There is a Martha who serves,

A Mary who prays,

And a Lazarus who lives in the power of resurrection.

When these three are in harmony, the mission becomes authentic, powerful, and whole.

*5) Final Thought*

The household at Bethany becomes a model for the Church and for each soul. 

It is a place where Jesus is received (Martha), loved (Mary), and glorified (Lazarus).

What about my Life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*