"Jesus entered a village,
where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home." (Cf Luke 10: 38 RM).
Today is the Memorial of St Martha, sister of Mary and one of the powerful women of the Bible. After her is named Domus Sanctae Martha, or Casa Santa Martha, the Guest House in the Vatican where Pope Francis lives.
A week ago, the Church celebrated the feast of St Mary Magdalene. Let us consider the lives of two great women in the life of Jesus: Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene. She was possibly a high class prostitute with considerable income. She belonged to a group of women who traveled with Jesus and His apostles and provided financial support. (Luke 8: 2 - 3).
Mary Magdalene is distinguished in Christian history for being the first person to see Jesus after the Resurrection and the person sent by Jesus to take the message to the Apostles.
Martha on the other hand is renowned for her hospitality. Whenever Jesus wanted to have a good meal with some wine and relax with friends, He headed to Casa Martha. Martha's Vineyard was always a welcome home for Jesus and His Apostles.
"Almighty ever-living God,
whose Son was pleased to be welcomed in Saint Martha’s house as a guest, grant, we pray, that through her intercession,
serving Christ faithfully in our brothers and sisters, we may merit to be received by you in the halls of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect on the feast of St Martha).
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