The Catholic Church has traditionally recognized July 29 as the feast of St. Martha, but in 2021, Pope Francis approved a change in the feast day to include Martha’s sister St. Mary and brother St. Lazarus.

Pope Francis says that the change is made “considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively, in believing that he is the resurrection and the life.” Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus.

The alternate Gospel reading from Luke says that Jesus would come to their home as a guest. Martha would be occupied with serving as Jesus would not be alone, but would be accompanied by the Twelve. Jesus would take the opportunity to rest far from the crowd and enjoy conversations with Mary. Lazarus would be around because women were not left alone with male visitors who were not family members. On the other hand, the reading from John finds the family in great distress.

The sisters call on Jesus without hesitation when Lazarus gets gravely ill. Jesus does not come immediately to prevent Lazarus from dying. Rather, he goes to the sisters when Lazarus is already dead. He reveals to Martha that he is the resurrection and the life and gives the first proof of this by raising Lazarus back to life.

“Bethany,” the village of the three siblings, means “house of affliction,” and it was so at the death of Lazarus. But when Lazarus was raised from the dead, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfumed oil and the house is filled with the fragrance of oil, symbolizing great joy. Indeed, Jesus transforms our sorrow into joy.

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died.] When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”