The Basics: Born in what today is Israel, sometime near the birth of Christ; death location not known with any precision; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, July 29. Friend of Jesus.
The Story: Martha; her brother, Lazarus; and her younger sister, Mary were friends of Jesus’s. Most often we think of Martha as a bit of a whiner; she complains to Jesus about Mary not helping her in the kitchen during one of his visits. She rebukes Jesus, saying if he’d come right away when Lazarus was 
sick, her brother would not have died. Yet the grieving Martha also summons up amazing faith amid her sadness, saying she believes her friend is the Son of God and that her brother will be raised up on the last day. We all know what happens next. Lazarus, now four days dead, is returned to life.
St. Martha’s Wisdom: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” (John 11:27)
What We Can Learn: We all have some of Martha’s tendencies from time to time, a preoccupation with the here and now and with wanting everyone to share the burdens of housework and the life. Yet Martha’s flaws didn’t get in the way of her rock-solid faith. Consider areas in your life where you can emulate the confidence Martha had in Christ.
To Learn More About St. Martha: The Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Web site has a nice biography of the woman for whom the order was named, or check out the environs of St. Martha’s Collegiate Church in Tarascon, France, which tradition has it was rescued from a monster by St. Martha.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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