“Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful.[a] Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

Are you a Martha, a Mary, or a Lazarus?

Today is the Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In the scripture passage above, we see that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.” While Martha, “was distracted with much serving.” She even complained that Mary wasn’t doing her part and the Lord, rebuked her saying that Mary had chosen the better part and He would not take it away from her.

As Christians, we are often torn between being too much of a “Martha” or too much a “Mary.” Perhaps we are the type that is always on the go, go, go. We are involved in every committee and leading various ministries within the Church, but we have no time for prayer.

Or maybe, we are so contemplative, prayerful, and discerning about a calling or project the Lord has given us, that we never move forward on it. We are waiting for a sign or a post-it note on the forehead. Meanwhile, He’s given us multiple invitations, the desire, and the means to do it, but we remain stuck in prayer mode.

If you’ve ever been accused of being too “Martha” or too “Mary,” raise your hand. It’s common to lean toward one or the other. God created each of us with personalities that are unique and inclined either more toward work or contemplation. The key is to find balance.

And what about Lazarus? Lazarus was in the tomb, decaying for several days when Jesus came to Him. Perhaps that’s where you are today. Maybe you are so overwhelmed, discouraged, or lost, you feel like Lazarus. There is hope for you too! Because it was Lazarus who received Our Lord’s greatest miracle. He was raised from the dead!!! We don’t know exactly what happened next but tradition says he went on to become one of the Church’s greatest evangelists, preaching in Cyprus after being exiled there!

So, whether you are a Martha, a Mary, or a Lazarus, God has a plan for each of us. He will use our personality and our gifts, in the unique way he created us, and for His greater glory! AMDG

For more about how God wants to use your gifts, click here!