July 20, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Ah, the Gospel scene of Martha and Mary. Some love this, some hate this. We love it because we all want to be Mary. We hate it because we are all Martha.

You are familiar with the scene. Martha and Mary are hosting Jesus. Martha is busy in the kitchen preparing the meal, while Mary sits in the living room listening to Jesus. Martha complains to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”

I must say, I do appreciate Martha. She has the courage to be direct with Jesus. Tell her to help me. We don’t see too many people attempting to command Jesus. Martha wasn’t afraid. We see a similar boldness later in the scene with the death of their brother Lazarus. Martha and Mary, along with the whole village, were distraught by this unexpected death of the young man. Mary sat inside the house weeping. Martha rushed out to meet Jesus in the field when she heard he was finally approaching. We can easily imagine Martha raising her voice in frustration to our Lord: “If you had been here, our brother would not have died.”

Yes, Martha is a passionate individual. And Jesus loved her. He responded to her in both instances when she was upset at Jesus. Jesus didn’t always give a response. Look at the Sanhedrin or Herod who made similar demands on Jesus. He was silent in front of them. But not with Martha. Jesus respected Martha’s personality and humanity.

Let Martha be an inspiration to you. Don’t be afraid to confront Jesus when you are frustrated or hurt or confused. However, also learn from Martha. Jesus will only respond to you if you love him first, if you are friends with him. Martha loved Jesus and they had a deep bond of friendship. If Jesus is silent when you speak to him, it might be because you are still using him and are not at that level of friendship with him.

So, yes, Martha does well in being honest and expressing her anger with Jesus. We are entitled to get angry with our friends. In fact, sometimes a fight can be beautiful. It means there is trust and vulnerability in the relationship. We love the other person enough to show our hurt and express our unmet desires. We wouldn’t do that with strangers or mere acquaintances. So, if you are authentically fighting with the Lord, consider that a grace from the Holy Spirit.

Another thing: better Martha lashed out at Jesus than at her sister Mary. Let that be another lesson to us. Take it to the Lord first in prayer before you take it out on others–whatever your grievance or feeling might be.

Know this, though: Jesus is no pushover. He gives it right back to Martha. He doesn’t say, “Oh, sorry, Martha, my dear. You’re so courteous. Mary, stop being lazy and go help your sister!” No. Jesus instead calls Martha out: “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.”

When we pray and express our hearts to Jesus, he will reveal our blindness to us. Why was Martha so anxious and burdened over Jesus? After all, they were friends and supposed to be comfortable around each other. Perhaps Martha still viewed Jesus in a disordered way and the friendship wasn’t as deep as she thought? Perhaps Martha had some insecurity that told her everything has to be perfect because she’s not good enough on her own? Perhaps Martha had some pride that wanted to show off a good house and meal?

Who knows. But whatever unhealthy was going on inside of Martha Jesus was able to help her recognize. Then it could be healed and Martha could go on to become a saint (her feast day is July 29, by the way). So, the final lesson: see it as a gift when Jesus (and someone else) challenges you.

Saint Martha, pray for us. Pray that we may be real, prayerful, and pure like you.

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If the weather cooperates, we will be repaving the alley and handicap parking lot this Monday and Tuesday. So, please be aware that the area will be inaccessible early this week. The main parking lot will still be open and available for use.

I will be away this week on my annual trip with my priest friends, including the two priests from Mobile, Alabama, Father Victor and Father Pat, you all met this spring. I will be praying for you all while I am away.

Speaking of Alabama, on behalf of Father Victor and his parishes, I want to thank you all for your incredible generosity in our Lenten Almsgiving Project. We raised over $160,000 for these poor parishes in Alabama, far and away the most we have ever raised in a Lenten Almsgiving Project. Please see inside the bulletin a letter from Fr. Jack Wall, the President of Catholic Extension.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Wallace