A Home Where Jesus Was Loved

In the heart of the Gospels lies the small town of Bethany—a village whose name became synonymous with friendship, hospitality, and unwavering faith. It was here that Jesus found refuge not just in a house, but in the hearts of three siblings: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Their home was a place where the Lord could rest, speak, and even weep. Today, the Church honors these three saints together, not only for their individual virtues but for the beautiful family they formed—one grounded in love for Christ.

The feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus invites us into the intimacy of their home, where love of neighbor and love of God were inseparable. Martha is remembered for her service and active charity, Mary for her contemplative devotion and repentance, and Lazarus for his miraculous resurrection and silent witness to Christ’s power. These three offer us a full picture of Christian life: action, contemplation, and testimony.

Born into Friendship with God

Though the Scriptures do not specify the birthplace or parentage of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, tradition and biblical evidence place them in Bethany, just two miles from Jerusalem. They were likely a well-established Jewish family, known to the people and to the Temple authorities.

The Gospels introduce them in a few powerful vignettes. Luke 10:38–42 presents Martha bustling about in service while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, soaking in His words. Jesus gently corrects Martha, reminding her that Mary has “chosen the better part.” Far from rebuking action, He uplifts attentive love.

In John 11, the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection unfolds. This chapter reveals the profound faith of Martha, who proclaims: “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (John 11:27). Mary, too, expresses deep trust, falling at Jesus’ feet with tears. These scenes show not only a conversion from human grief to divine hope, but a family whose hearts are already being transformed by Christ.

Living Witnesses to Love and Resurrection

The siblings of Bethany were not just friends of Jesus—they were among His most beloved. Saint Augustine wrote: “He loved them as a man loves his friends, and as God loves those whom He will raise from the dead.”

Martha’s life teaches us that service is sanctifying. She welcomed Jesus, prepared meals, and ensured His comfort. Yet her spiritual growth is just as admirable: by John 11, she speaks with remarkable theological clarity and trust.

Mary, often identified with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and wiped them with her hair (John 12:3), exemplifies the beauty of repentance and worship. Pope Saint Gregory the Great upheld this tradition, stating that Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and the repentant woman in Luke 7 were one and the same—though not all scholars or traditions agree.

And then there is Lazarus. His greatest miracle was not his own doing, but his being raised by Christ after four days in the tomb. When Jesus cried, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43), Lazarus emerged wrapped in burial cloths—a living sign of Christ’s power over death and a foreshadowing of His own Resurrection.

According to tradition, Lazarus later became a bishop—most likely in Cyprus, where his tomb can still be visited today. Mary and Martha are believed to have accompanied him in mission, spreading the Gospel with courage and gentleness.

From Suffering to Glory

Though the Gospels focus on the family’s joy-filled moments, there was also sorrow. The death of Lazarus brought intense grief to his sisters, prompting the shortest and one of the most powerful verses in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). Their loss became the occasion for the miracle that would lead many to believe in Christ—and many Pharisees to begin plotting His death (John 11:45–53).

After the Resurrection of Christ, traditions diverge. One Eastern tradition holds that they remained in Bethany; another, more widespread in the West, says they fled persecution in a boat and landed in southern France. Lazarus is venerated in Marseilles as its first bishop. Mary is honored at Sainte-Baume and Martha at Tarascon, where a local legend speaks of her taming a dragon-like creature with nothing but a cross and holy water.

Their Light Still Shines

Miracles continued long after their earthly lives ended. Pilgrims have reported healings and answered prayers at their shrines, especially in Provence and Cyprus. The Basilica of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca, Cyprus, houses relics and is a major pilgrimage site. In France, the Abbey of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, once claimed to possess the remains of Mary Magdalene, drew medieval pilgrims from across Europe.

In the East, Martha and Mary are especially revered as Myrrh-bearing Women, those faithful women who brought spices to anoint Christ’s body and were the first to hear of His Resurrection. Though this title is more directly linked to other Marys in the Gospels, the legacy of Bethany’s women continues to inspire deep devotion and faith.

A Model Family for Every Christian Home

In these three saints, we find a sacred pattern for the Christian life. Are you like Martha—called to serve your family, your parish, your community with love and diligence? Let your work become prayer.

Are you like Mary—drawn to contemplation, eager to sit at Jesus’ feet and soak in His Word? Let nothing distract you from the One Thing Necessary.

Are you like Lazarus—silent but faithful, bearing witness through the miracle God has done in you? Let your life proclaim the Resurrection, even without many words.

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus teach us that holiness grows in the soil of ordinary life. Hospitality, worship, grief, and joy—all become places of encounter with Christ when we open our hearts and homes to Him. Their story invites us to build homes where Jesus is loved, heard, and honored.

Engage with Us!

Share your reflections in the comments!

1. How does your home reflect the spirit of Bethany?
2. Which sibling do you relate to most today—Martha, Mary, or Lazarus?
3. Have you experienced the Lord’s presence in moments of sorrow, like the siblings did at the death of Lazarus?

Let’s support one another in becoming families and communities that welcome Jesus not just into our houses—but into our hearts. Let all we do be done in love, just as our Lord has shown us.

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, pray for us! ✨

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