Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
The story of Mary and Martha is familiar to us all.  Mary, who may or may not be Mary Magdalene, and Martha, are hosting Jesus in the home of their brother Lazarus. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his teaching, while Martha is busy with the work of hospitality.
Martha finally expresses her concern that Mary is not helping her. Jesus gently reminds her that she is anxious about many things and Mary has chosen the better part.
This story always seems a bit unfair to me, at least unfair to Martha. She is merely trying to provide for a guests and she needs help.  Who of us has not been in a similar condition?
But the story is a poignant reminder to us of how important it is to be present to another. It’s like the parent who works so hard to provide for the material needs of their children but then neglects to spend time with them.
In the same way, Martha is trying to provide hospitality for her guest but is neglecting to sit and listen to Him. So Jesus gently reminds her that hospitality is important, but that the purpose of a visit is to spend time together.
Somewhere along the way, Martha must have figured it out , because the Catholic Church reverse her as a saint. Her feast say is July 24th. This is a week from the feast of St. Mary Magdalene who may or may not have been the sister of Martha.
When Lazarus dies and is buried, it is Martha who goes out to meet Jesus. She exclaims to Jesus that if He had been here, her brother would not have died. That in itself is a great acclamation of faith in Jesus. Martha goes on to say, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One Who is coming into the world.” All of this is declared when Martha is overcome with grief. She believes that Jesus could have healed her brother. He was not there when they needed Him the most.  Lazarus is Dead! And yet she makes this acclamation of faith in who Jesus is and what His mission is.  That is truly remarkable.
It is only then that Jesus proceeds to the tomb of Lazarus.  Jesus calls for the stone to be rolls away.  The ever practical Martha says, “Lord, it has been four days now; surely there will be a stench.” Jesus reminds her that she is about to see the glory of God revealed. The stone is removed, Jesus prays to God the Father, and then cries out. . . “Lazarus, come out!”
John 11:25,26: “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive  and believes in me will never die.”
           Msgr. Cox
Christ in the House of Mary and Martha, Johann Friedrich Overbeck (1815)