Family love is central to our human lives

 

Family love is central to our human lives.  And though not every family enjoys unity and mutual love, we must never forget that God wants to enter every family just as He did with Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

Martha, Mary and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus.  They lived in Bethany, which was only a short distance from Jerusalem.  Martha is remembered especially for the story in which she had been preparing a meal for Jesus, while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him, leaving all the work to Martha.  Martha complained to Jesus, urging Him to “Tell her to help me.”  Jesus’ gentle rebuke of her request was, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:38–42)

Mary is also known for the above story in which she sat at Jesus’ feet.  This has traditionally been seen as a symbol of contemplative prayer.  

Lazarus is, of course, well known for the fact that Jesus brought him back to life after being dead and in the tomb for four days.  Little else is mentioned about Lazarus in the Gospels except for the fact that the Pharisees wanted to arrest Lazarus at the time they were also seeking to arrest Jesus and that he was the sibling of Martha and Mary (John 11:1-54).

Up until this year, the Catholic Church chose this day as a memorial only in honor of Saint Martha.  But in February Pope Francis expanded this memorial to include Martha’s sister and brother.  When this memorial was established, the Congregation for Divine Worship said, “In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that He loved them.”  By honoring these siblings together, we’re especially reminded of the importance of remaining close to family and inviting Jesus into our family.  Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived together and shared a common life of love.  They invited Jesus into their family life, and He accepted their offer.  Jesus’ choice to befriend this family is an indication of His desire to unite each family and to befriend each member of every family so as to be the central source of their shared love and unity.  

Even if your family struggles in various ways, know that God wants to love you and your family in the same way He did the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  Though they weren’t perfect, He loved them, nonetheless.  And He desires to do the same to you and your family.