Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany

Homily for the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings from the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, and are remembered as close friends and devoted followers of Jesus. Their home was a place of refuge for Him, and their stories appear prominently in the Gospels of Luke and John. Each of them is remembered for different personality traits that espouse various spiritual values and different aspects of discipleship.

Martha was practical and hospitable, often portrayed as the one managing household affairs. She’s known for her strong declaration of faith: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27). Mary was contemplative and spiritually attuned. She famously sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to His teachings (Luke 10:39–42), and later anointed His feet with expensive perfume in a deeply symbolic act of devotion. Lazarus is best known for being raised from the dead by Jesus after four days in the tomb—a miracle that stirred awe and intensified opposition from religious leaders (John 11).

From these readings, the church has come to regard Mary as the representative of worship and spiritual intimacy. Martha embodies service and active faith. Lazarus symbolizes resurrection and divine power.

The Gospel for this day is the emotional story of the raising of Lazarus. As we read the Gospels, Lazarus remains silent. He does not speak at all after being raised from the dead. In the next chapter he appears again at a meal with Jesus and the disciples, but he does not speak. Consequently, he becomes the passive disciple who is acted upon rather than one who acts himself. However, in the tradition of the church, Lazarus and his sisters moved to Cyprus where Paul and Barnabas ordain Lazarus and appoint him as shepherd of this community. Mary and Martha are also involved in serving the Cypriot community. Another tradition tells us that after Jesus raised him from the dead, Lazarus never smiled again having experienced life in the underworld. Of course, these traditions are, for the most part, oral traditions.

As we celebrate this memorial today, it is good for us to turn our attention to the time when, according to the Nicene Creed, Jesus descended into hell to release those held captive there. Unlike Lazarus, we will never have to experience anything similar because we have been promised that those who participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice will be saved.