St. Martha – The Faithful Friend of Jesus

St. Martha

St. Martha is a biblical figure from the New Testament, known for her role in the stories of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels of Luke and John. According to the Bible, Martha lived in the village of Bethany, located near Jerusalem, and she is known for being a host to Jesus and his disciples.

Martha is first mentioned in Luke 10:38-42, where she is described as a woman who welcomed Jesus into her home and “”served”” him. She is contrasted in this passage with her sister Mary, who is said to have “”sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said.””

In John 11:1-44, we read the story of the death of her brother Lazarus, and how Jesus raises him from the dead. Martha receives Jesus when He arrives in Bethany, and went to meet him while Mary stayed in the house. She expresses her belief in Jesus’s ability to heal her brother, and Jesus comforts her with the knowledge of the resurrection.

Martha is also mentioned in Luke 10:38-42, where it is written that she was “”worried and troubled”” by the responsibilities of serving Jesus and his disciples, while her sister Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his teachings. Jesus then tells her that “”only one thing is needed”” and that Mary has chosen “”what is better,”” referring to her decision to focus on spiritual pursuits rather than material concerns.

Martha is not mentioned in any other part of the New Testament, but she is remembered as an important figure in early Christian tradition and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Church. Her feast day is celebrated on July 29th.

Martha is often depicted in art as a domestic worker, symbolizing her role as a hostess in the Bible stories. She is also sometimes shown alongside her sister Mary and brother Lazarus. She has been invoked as a patron saint of cooks, housewives, travelers, and domestic workers.

Martha is considered as a symbol of the active Christian life, focused on serving others and fulfilling practical responsibilities, as well as a representation of the contemplative life, focused on spiritual pursuits and the love of God.

St. Martha is remembered today as a woman of faith, who welcomed Jesus into her home and served him with love and devotion. Her story teaches us the importance of balancing spiritual pursuits with the responsibilities and duties of everyday life, and serving others in humility and love.

The Life of St. Martha

The few facts that we know about St. Martha are told in the Scripture through three separate stories. Martha was the eldest of the trio that consisted of herself, Mary, and Lazarus. Many commentators on the Bible believe that the Mary of this trio was Mary Magdalene, but this is not certain. The three were members of a well-to-do and devout Jewish family.

Their parents were evidently dead, for no mention is made of them when such mention would be expected Martha was the efficient manager of the household which doubt less included servants. But when there were special guests, as when Jesus was present, Martha, as hostess, kept her finger on all arrangements; she entrusted no important detail to the sole discretion of others.

Close Personal Relationship with Jesus

We know from the Gospels that Jesus loved this family and that he was always welcome at their home. They lived so near the city of Jerusalem that their home was a convenient resting place for Jesus when He visited the Holy City. In the ample accommodations afforded by a wealthy Jewish family there would be space for several, even all, of Christ’s Apostles, and the Jews were traditionally a hospitable people.

On one memorable occasion it happened that when Jesus and some of His followers “were on their journey, that he entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.” It is significant that it was Martha who welcomed Him and that she welcomed Him into her house.

St. Luke continues the story: “And she had a sister Mary, who also seated herself at the Lord’s feet, and listened to his word.” While Mary sat at our Lord’s feet and drank in His words, “Martha was busy about much serving.” She, perhaps more than the others, recognized the dignity Guest, and she would not leave the management of the Hospitality to servants, however efficient they might be.

Things had to be done right, and Saint Martha intended to see that all things were in order. The busy elder sister thought that the younger sister might be expected, in all justice, to do her share. So St. Martha complained a bit to Jesus: “Lord, is it no concern of thine that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, therefore, to help me.” Jesus replied: “Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things; and yet only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the best part, and it will not be taken away from her.”

These words were hardly a rebuke to the faithful Martha. Rather, they showed a recognition of the facts of the situation and an understanding of the two women. But an important truth is also contained in the words of Jesus: divine contemplation is of more value to man, and of more worth before God, than any amount of activity which has mere material well-being for its object.

The Resurrection Story of Saint Martha’s Brother, Lazarus

Martha appears in Scripture for a second time when her brother Lazarus was sick. Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus: “Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” While they waited for Jesus to come, Martha and Mary watched anxiously at the bedside of their stricken brother.

The hours crept by; the fever mounted. But Jesus did not come. Jesus, far away, knew what was happening. But He had His reasons for waiting. Two days after He received the message He told the Apostles He was going to Bethany. The Apostles protested. They pointed out to Jesus that only recently the Jews of Judea had tried to kill Him. It would be better to stay out of Judea for a time. Jesus said: “Lazarus, our friend, sleeps. But I go that I may wake him from sleep.”

The Apostles took this literally and could not see why Jesus had to make the long trip just to wake Lazarus from sleep. Then Jesus spoke more plainly. “Lazarus is dead and I rejoice on your account that I was not there, that you may believe. But let us go to him. When Martha learned that Jesus was coming, she went to Him. By this time Lazarus had been dead four days.

“Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died,” Martha exclaimed. And then she showed her perfect faith in Jesus. “But even now I know that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it to thee.” Jesus said: “Thy brother shall rise again.” “I know,” said Martha, “that he will rise at the resurrection on the last day.”

Then to Martha Jesus made this important statement: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, even if he die, shall live on, and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” He ended with a question: “Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she said. “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” This was a simple, beautiful act of faith. St. Peter and St. Thomas did no better than Martha on this score.

Martha returned to Mary and said: “The Master is here and calls for thee.” Mary hurried to Jesus and used the same words that Martha had used: “If thou hadst been here my brother would not have died.”

At the tomb Jesus gave instructions to roll away the stone. Martha warned Him of the probable condition of the corpse because Lazarus had been dead four days. Nevertheless, the stone was rolled back. At the command of Jesus, Lazarus came forth.

Anointing the Lord

Martha appears a third time in Scripture. A banquet was held for Jesus in Bethany. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were all there. On this occasion Mary poured a pound of fragrant and costly ointment over the feet of Jesus. This “extravagance” drew the reproach of Judas, but Jesus defended the action, saying that Mary had anointed Him in preparation for His burial. At this banquet, Martha, as usual, was serving

The Gospels tell us no more about Martha, but we may be sure that she was among the faithful women who watched on Calvary and who assisted at the burial of Jesus.

Popular St. Martha Medal and St. Martha Rosary

Prayers to St. Martha

O blessed St. Martha, your faith led Jesus to proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life”; and faith let you see beyond his humanity when you cried out, “Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” With firm hope you said, I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him, and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead. With pure love for Jesus you welcomed him into your home. Friend and servant of our Savior, I too am “troubled about many things.” Pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love, and that Jesus, who sat at your table, will hear me and grant me a place at the banquet of eternal life. Amen.

Saint Martha, I resort to thy aid and protection. Comfort me in all my difficulties and through the great favors thou didst enjoy when the Savior was lodged in thy house, intercede for my family, that we be provided for in our necessities. I ask of thee, Saint Martha, to overcome all difficulties as thou didst overcome the dragon which thou hadst at thy feet. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

O, Admirable Holy Martha,
I have recourse to you
and I count on your aid in my trials.
In thanksgiving, I promise you
to propagate this prayer everywhere.
Comfort me in my worries and difficulties
I humbly beg you.
By the immense joy which filled your soul
when you received the Savior of the world
in your home in Bethany,
I ask you to intercede for me and my family,
so that we may keep God in our hearts
and thus we may deserve to get the help
to our needs especially in the situation
which oppresses me now.

(Mention your intention.)

I implore you in all our needs. 
Help us to surmount the difficulties,
you who have victoriously fought the Devil.

Amen.

Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be

Three times: Saint Martha, pray for us.

Prayer to St. Martha

Dear St. Martha,

You were a woman of great hospitality and generosity, welcoming Jesus into your home and serving him with all your heart. I ask for your intercession as I seek to be a more hospitable and generous person, sharing my gifts and resources with those in need.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep compassion, unwavering faith, and selfless service to others.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Martha

St. Martha,

You were a woman of great determination and faith, seeking to serve Jesus and to grow in your spiritual life. Help me to have the determination to pursue my own spiritual journey, even in the face of difficulties, and to always keep my focus on God.

May your devotion to the Lord and your love for his people fill me with the strength and wisdom I need to be a faithful witness in a world that often seeks to undermine the truth.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Martha

O St. Martha,

You were a woman of great courage and perseverance, facing many challenges and difficulties in your life with grace and faith. Help me to have the courage to persevere in my own spiritual journey, even in the face of adversity, and to always keep my eyes fixed on God.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep faith, sincere devotion, and unwavering commitment to the Lord and his people.

Amen.

 

St. Martha: Patron Saint of Cooks and Housewives

St. Martha is the patron saint of cooks and housewives. She is mentioned in the New Testament as a friend of Jesus who welcomed him into her home and served him during his travels in the region of Bethany.

St. Martha is recognized as the patron saint of cooks because of the story in the New Testament in which she was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples. She was so focused on her work that she became frustrated when her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to him instead of helping with the preparations. Jesus responded by telling Martha that Mary had chosen the better part, and that she too should focus on what was important. From this story, St. Martha has become a symbol of hospitality, service, and the importance of finding balance in our work and spiritual lives.

In addition to being the patron saint of cooks, St. Martha is also recognized as the patron saint of housewives. This is because of her role as a homemaker and hostess, and her dedication to welcoming Jesus and his disciples into her home. She is seen as a model of virtuous and diligent housekeeping, and her intercession is sought for help in managing household responsibilities and maintaining a welcoming and loving home.

St. Martha is remembered for her hospitality, her service, and her balance of work and faith. She is revered as a powerful intercessor, and her intercession is sought for a variety of needs, including guidance for those who work in the food industry, help for homemakers and housewives, and inspiration for all those who strive to balance their work and spiritual lives.

 

Reflection on the feast day of St. Martha

The feast day of St. Martha is on July 29th.

On the feast day of St. Martha, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the early followers of Jesus Christ. St. Martha is best known for her hospitality and her role as a host to Jesus and his disciples, as described in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke (10:38-42) and John (11:1-44). She is considered the patron saint of cooks, housewives, travelers and servants.

St. Martha’s story teaches us the importance of hospitality and generosity. She welcomed Jesus and his disciples into her home and served them with great love and devotion. She reminds us that true hospitality is not just about providing food and shelter, but about welcoming others into our lives and making them feel at home. She teaches us that true generosity is about giving of ourselves, not just our possessions.

St. Martha’s example also reminds us of the importance of balance in our lives. In the story, she is contrasted with her sister Mary, who choose to sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to his teachings, while Martha was busy with the preparations. This contrast reminds us that it’s important to strike a balance between our duties and responsibilities and our spiritual life, not to be too busy to take time for God.

St. Martha’s legacy also teaches us about faith and perseverance. In the story of her brother Lazarus’s resurrection, she believed in Jesus’s power to bring him back to life and her faith was rewarded. She teaches us that with faith and perseverance, we can overcome even the most difficult challenges and that with God, nothing is impossible.

In conclusion, as we celebrate the feast day of St. Martha, let us remember the example of this great saint and her dedication to hospitality, balance and faith. May we strive to follow her example, to be generous, to strike a balance between our duties and spiritual life, and to deepen our relationship with God through faith and perseverance.

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Saints Similar to St. Martha

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Martin de Porres. St. Martha and St. Martin de Porres were known for their service and care for others. St. Martha is known for her service to Jesus and St. Martin de Porres for his charitable work. Next up: Biography of St. Martin de Porres

 

Also check out our handmade St. Martha Medal and St. Martha Rosary and St. Martha Rosary Bracelet.