St.
Martha
Virgin (First Century)
Martha was the sister of Mary of Bethany. We know only what
we read about her in the Gospels of Luke and John. Whatever is said about her
early life comes to us from apocryphal writings which usually are no more than
the work of somebody's imagination. We know that she busied herself preparing a
meal for Jesus and his disciples, then went to Jesus to complain that Mary did
nothing while she had to do all the housework. It was at that time Jesus
reminder her that Mary had chosen "the best part".
We see her again when, at the tomb of her brother Lazarus,
she pronounces those profound words of faith which have come into our funeral
liturgy: "I know He will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus
told her: "I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he
should die, will come to life;...Do you believe this?" "Yes Lord", she replied,
"I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God; he who is to
come into the world."
The cult of St. Martha began about the year 1200. Where or
how she died we do not know. Whether hers was a matyr's death or a natural one
we do not know. We do know that she is our patroness for whom Jesus was like
family, and therefore, a powerful one in the presence of God. Because she took
care of the hungry, followers of Jesus traditionally know her as the Patroness
of housewives, waiters, and waitresses. Let us follow her example in caring for
our homeless, poor, HIV sufferers among us! If we were up in the cool
North, we would probably be enjoying a bazaar or a fair, but because of our
sweltering heat our Patroness' feast will be celebrated only in our hearts, in
our prayers, and in our re-commitment to the needy. Let us pray to her for the
needs of the parish and for our own personal needs, material and spiritual. The
Prayer to St. Martha is:
'St. Martha, I resort to thy
protection and aid and as a proof of my affection and faith I offer this light
which I shall burn every Tuesday. Comfort me in all my difficulties and through
the great favor thou didst enjoy when the Savior was lodged in thy house,.
Intercede for my family that we may always hold God in our hearts, and that we
may be provided for in all our necessities, I ask, St. Martha, to overcome all
difficulties as thou didst overcome the dragon at thy feet.'
St.
Martha Catholic Church