A Household of Grace

M

y dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In 2021, Pope Francis enriched our liturgical calendar by designating July 29 as the memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. This is no longer just the feast of Martha, but a celebration of an entire household—a family whom Jesus loved (cf. Jn 11:5). Their home was a place of friendship, welcome, service, contemplation, and witness—a sacred space where love took many forms.

Today’s Gospel (Lk 10:38-42) offers us a glimpse into that home. Martha is busy with the work of hospitality, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening. When Martha expresses her concern, Jesus responds:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken from her.”

Let us take a moment to reflect on each of these beloved siblings—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—and how their lives reveal different, but equally vital, paths to holiness.

Martha embodies strength, service, and responsibility. She is the one who rolls up her sleeves and gets things done. People like her—quiet workers, often unnoticed—are the ones who keep the world running and healing. During the pandemic, Pope Francis highlighted these “ordinary” heroes: doctors, nurses, caregivers, janitors, delivery workers, and teachers—people who offered their lives for others without applause or recognition. My own sister, a nurse, trained further as an infectious disease preventionist at the height of the crisis. She exemplified Martha’s courage, doing not what was easy, but what was urgently needed.

Mary, meanwhile, represents the contemplative heart. She is often praised as the one who “chose the better part,” but a closer look at the Greek text tells us something richer. Jesus says Mary chose the good portion—agathēn—not the better one. This distinction matters. It means her choice to sit and listen to the Lord is not in competition with Martha’s service. Both are good. The Gospel does not ask us to rank them, but to recognize that loving God takes many forms: listening and doing, receiving and giving. Martha and Mary show us that discipleship is not one-dimensional. We are called to integrate both action and contemplation into our lives.

Lazarus, though silent in today’s reading, reveals another dimension: the power of witness. After being raised from the dead, Lazarus becomes a living sign of God’s mercy and love. His life, renewed by Christ, becomes a quiet testimony to the promise that death is not the end. Like Lazarus, we too are called to be witnesses—living reminders of hope and resurrection in a broken world.

And speaking of witnesses, let me share the story of a modern figure who reflects all three siblings: Carlos Yulo, the world-class Filipino gymnast. He is the first athlete to take home two golds from the Olympics. His journey weaves together the virtues of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Like Martha, Carlos is a model of discipline and resilience. His rigorous training, often far from home, demanded extraordinary effort and sacrifice. Like Mary, he embraced attentiveness—listening deeply to his coaches, learning from failure, and keeping his focus clear. And like Lazarus, his performances have become a source of inspiration, uplifting a nation through his quiet excellence and perseverance. His victories speak not just of talent, but of character formed through adversity.

Carlos did not rise without struggle. He faced injuries, setbacks, and doubt. But like the saints, he endured. His success is not just his own—it is the fruit of many unseen acts of love, sacrifice, and support.

As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Similarly, it takes not just a whole household but a whole nation to motivate a Carlos Yulo—where every role matters, every drop of sweat and tear counts, every presence is essential, and every expression of love holds deep meaning. In the eyes of God, no gesture of care, no moment of listening, no silent act of faithfulness is ever wasted. Together, they form the mosaic of holiness.

So let us remember: in the household of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, there was no rivalry—only relationship. No competition—only communion. May our homes, our communities, and our Church reflect the same.

May we serve like Martha.

May we listen like Mary.

May we witness like Lazarus.

And may we live with the love that welcomed Christ at one table, in many ways. Amen. Fr JM Manzano SJ