Martha, Disciple of the Lord Obligatory Memorial
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 84: 3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
Alleluia: John 8: 12
Gospel: John 11: 19-27 or Luke 10: 38-42
First Reading: Exodus 40: 16-21, 34-38
16 And Moses did all that the Lord had commanded.
17 So in the first month of the second year, the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up.
18 And Moses reared it up, and placed the boards and the sockets and the bars, and set up the pillars,
19 And spread the roof over the tabernacle, putting over it a cover, as the Lord had commanded.
20 And he put the testimony in the ark, thrusting bars underneath, and the oracle above.
21 And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it to fulfill the commandment of the Lord
34 The cloud covered the tabernacle of the testimony, and the glory of the Lord filled it.
35 Neither could Moses go into the tabernacle of the covenant, the cloud covering all things and the majesty of the Lord shining, for the cloud had covered all.
36 If at any time the cloud removed from the tabernacle, the children of Israel went forward by their troops:
37 If it hung over, they remained in the same place.
38 For the cloud of the Lord hung over the tabernacle by day, and a fire by night, in the sight of all the children of Israel throughout all their mansions.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 84: 3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
3 My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
4 For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
5 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever.
6a Blessed is the man whose help is from thee.
8a For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
11 For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
Alleluia: John 8: 12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
12 I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 11: 19-27 or Luke 10: 38-42
19 And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus had come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home.
21 Martha therefore said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live:
26 And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?
27 She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.
Or
38 Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word.
40 But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.
41 And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Reflection
When the tabernacle is completed, the cloud of the Lord’s glory fills it, and Israel learns to move or remain according to God’s presence. The psalm expresses the same desire: “How lovely is your dwelling place,” because the heart finds its true home near the living God. Scripture presents God’s presence as both shelter and guidance.
Jesus brings this presence into the ordinary places of human life. Martha welcomes him into her house, while Mary sits at his feet and listens. In the sorrow of losing Lazarus, Martha comes to him with her pain and receives a truth greater than the answer she expected: “I am the resurrection and the life.” To remain close to Christ is to receive light even when the way is unclear, and hope even in the face of death. Service has its place, but the “one thing necessary” is a heart attentive to the Lord. Our daily choices become clearer when we first make room for his word, trust his timing, and allow his presence to guide our going and staying.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, make my heart a dwelling place for your presence. In the noise of duties and the weight of sorrow, teach me to sit at your feet and listen to your word. Give me Martha’s trust to bring my honest pain to you, and Mary’s attentiveness to recognize what is truly necessary. Be my light when I do not know whether to remain or move forward. Strengthen my faith in your promise of life, and guide my choices according to your will. May your presence become my refuge, my direction, and my hope. Amen.
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