MARTHA, MARTHA, SAINT OF HOSPITALITY

Dining with friends and colleagues last night in our shared fellowship and fraternity of the priesthood, was an ideal prelude to St. Martha's Feast Day, we celebrate today, July 29. According to the Gospels, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, Martha is recognized for the hospitality her family generously shared with Jesus and other visitors. Jesus was indeed close to Martha, Mary and Lazarus, dining in their home and spending quality time with this family of three in what can be described as a human interest story. Yet, despite their closeness, Jesus stayed away when Lazarus took seriously ill and died. That occurrence as recorded in John 11 : 17-27, establishes a personal confession of faith in her verbal exchange with Jesus Who proclaims Himself, "The Resurrection and The Life", by responding positively by indicating trhat she believes Jesus to be, "the Messiah, the Son of God, He who is to Come into the World". That profession of belief is perhaps only equaled by Thomas the Apostle when he proclaimed, "My Lord and My God", after witnessing to the Risen Christ. On this day when we honor the St. Martha in all of us, what acts of hospitality and generosity are you committed to share with others, today, this week, in the remaining days of summer ? The soiree I attended last night fulfilled the attributes for which St. Martha is remembered. May your current socializing with your family and friends mirror that same generosity of spirit and observe the fullness of fellowship and hospitality following Martha's scriptural lead.........Fr. Troy