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 33:7-11:34:5-9,28
Jn 11:19-27
“Your brother…will rise again”
Those among us who are film buffs might remember a line from ‘Rocky Balboa’, where he schools his on-screen (and real life) son about resilience. In a nutshell, Rocky believes that the mark of a fighter lies not in how many times he is knocked down, but whether or not he gets up each and every time.
Recently, I lost a small religious article which had always been with me (in my right pant pocket) since I got it while on a pilgrimage in Israel in 2019. It was a small, wooden cross which, over the years, had darkened and changed colour as I held onto it through difficult times/situations. Even on overseas trips and, on my last Camino de Santiago in 2024, it provided me constant assurance that He was with me throughout my waking hours.
On the day I discovered the loss (it was a Sunday afternoon), I was surprisingly calm and unusually un-flustered. After telling G, we took a 15-minute drive back to church (I wondered if it had dropped in the gents early that morning) and after a quick but futile search, I muttered, “I wonder if it is a sign that my troubles are over.” Today, I carry in the same pocket, a similar cross given to me by G. And so, I wonder…
“I am the resurrection and the life”
Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that God is a merciful, loving and caring being. One who always looks out for us, no matter where we find ourselves in life. I have been going through yet another period of change – and this time round, more from a personal perspective. While there have been the constant demands on my time at CSC (where I serve in various capacities now), I have learnt to accept all that comes my way and to embrace the ‘crosses’ (just as I would tenderly hold on to the cross in my pocket) and to be more ‘present’ in the situations that call for my attention, rather than wonder why/what He called me for.
“…even though he dies he will live.”
Over the past few months, I have had to deal with some turmoil at home (as we all do). Along the way, I had to ‘help’ mum internalise and process the issue(s) that she was facing (which had some residual impact on me). Thankfully, today, mum is a lot happier and relaxed, and has resumed her exercise programme. As I was relating the story to someone recently, he asked if I was more relieved or happy. I said that I was thankful He had guided me through my conversations with mum (and that I didn’t ‘lose it’ along the way). I reflected on how my ‘old self’ would have reacted to the situation at home and silently thanked God for being such a guiding and loving presence.
Brothers and sisters, the three saints today were all close to Jesus. Granted, they were all very different in personality and character. Nonetheless, they were all united in love for Jesus. And Jesus demonstrated His love for each of them in His own gentle way, just as He does for us each time we fall (through sin) or turn our backs on Him. For some of us, getting up again is a matter of going for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, for some others, it may require something more – such as a retreat or time with a spiritual counsellor/director. Regardless, it is His love that helps us to get up, dust ourselves off, and move forward. All He asks is for us to trust in Him..after all, the Lord is compassion and love.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Abba Father, you do what is best for us always, even though we may not understand the processes you bring us through. We pray for an unwavering faith that you only want what is good for us, in spite of ourselves.
Thanksgiving: Lord, thank you immensely, for your love us. Help us to see You in our sufferings, our challenges and in our sorrows. Help us to recognise your light in our lives as we shoulder the crosses you help us to bear.
OXYGEN 
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