Jul 29 – Memorial for Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus
St Martha
Jesus liked to stay at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, his friends at Bethany, when he was in Judaea. One of these visits has ever remained dear to Christian memory. On that occasion Martha, busily serving the Master, asked Him to persuade Mary to help her. Jesus explained to her that certain souls, called by God, should choose a better part still — the primary duty of listening to Him and contemplating Him.
After His Ascension, she was seized by the Jews, together with many other Christians. They were put on board a ship without sails or oars, and left helpless on the open sea. But God guided the ship, and they all arrived safely at Marseilles. Martha, after having won the love and admiration of the Marseilles people by the sanctity of her life and her wonderful charity, withdrew with several virtuous women to a spot remote from men, where she lived for a long time, greatly renowned for her piety and prudence.
St. Lazarus
The account of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus, led to his widespread veneration in Jerusalem, which was witnessed by the Spanish pilgrim Egeria in 390.
Nothing more is written about him in the New Testament. According to tradition however, the Jews of Jaffa placed Lazarus and his sisters in a leaky boat in which they somehow sailed safely to Cyprus. He said to have become a bishop on the island and died there peacefully 30 years later.
- Excerpted from Independent Catholic News
St Mary of Bethany
Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus of the town of Bethany, just a few miles away from Jerusalem. At some point, Jesus had developed a special friendship with these three siblings and had gone to their house for a visit. During the visit, Mary became engrossed in all Jesus had to say. She sat at his feet, listening attentively, apparently oblivious to her sister, Martha, who scurried about with serving duties. The frustrated Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not being helpful. Profoundly, Jesus replied that it was Mary who had made the better choice — that spiritual matters have a much higher priority than household chores.
Exo 24:3-8
Jn 11:19-27
“I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
Every time I hear or read the quote above, I am moved with hope and joy; these are such words of encouragement and strength. Almost as if I am a thirsty traveler coming upon an oasis, an offer of rest and to quench my thirst. There is just something so special about those words. Our dear Lord is the Resurrection and the Life.
I am not going to get preachy about this, because I am sure that most, if not all of you, have heard the above quote and have some understanding of it. What I want to do is to share how this has changed me and helped me through life’s many ups and downs.
When Jesus says that He is the Resurrection and the Life, I feel like He is talking to me directly and making me a promise that He will not abandon me. He will make everything new; even if they died, He will give them new life.
Like so many other people in this world, I was (and still am, to a certain extent) searching for the meaning of life. We are all convinced that there must be more to this life on earth. Sure, there are sayings like “you only live once” or “live and let live”. But at the heart of these sayings, there is a deep yearning to truly live, to understand or experience the true meaning of being alive. Like so many, I mistake the pursuit of pleasure, indulgence and possessions as a means to achieving happiness. I tell myself that if I get a bigger house, a nicer car, acquire wealth, satisfy my ambition, gain respect, etc, then I will be happy — and that is what makes a great life.
Life in the temporal lane. Just like the name suggests, the acquiring of temporal things satisfy the deep longings temporarily. The shiny bauble soon becomes lacklustre and we go in search of the next best thing. Having achieved some of the conditions above, I felt dissatisfied. I wanted more, I wanted what other people had. Instead of filling the void, it left me more empty and more unhappy. That’s when Jesus stepped in. He claims unequivocally that He is the Resurrection and the Life. He can offer us what we search for so very desperately, but which always seems to slip through our fingers. The Life He offers us is not of temporal things, not of simple pleasures, but is of a deeper and everlasting nature, one that actually quenches our thirst, one that finally satisfies.
However, the Life that He offers is not easy. But then, nothing that is truly worthy is easy. We will be tested and tried, stumble and fall, tempted to revert back to temporary satisfactions. However, once you have a taste or glimpse of the Life that He offers — the glorious, peaceful and fully satisfying Life — you will not want to go back to empty promises.
When I started to turn more towards our Lord, whatever within me that was slowly dying, was renewed. Whatever was dead within, was made new. Have I finished my search? Do I have all the answers? No, far from it. In this faith journey, I am just starting out; at times, taking a wrong turn and having to double back, but at least now I have an aim. I know where I want to be and who I want to be with for eternity.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. That knowledge strengthens me, renews me and satisfies my hungry heart. He has provided the meaning that I seek so desperately.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Dearest Lord, You are indeed the Resurrection and the Life. You make all things new. Even in our brokenness, You can heal and renew. We pray that You renew us and grant us the Life that You so want to share with us.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your generosity and for giving us Your Holy Son, so that we can share the Life that He speaks of.
OXYGEN 
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