![]() ![]() Our final picture of Martha in Scripture is the one that sums up who she was. Jesus tells her that he is the resurrection and the life and then goes on to raise her brother from the dead. ![]() In this dialogue she states clearly without doubt that she believes in Jesus' power, in the resurrection, and most of all that Jesus is the Son of God. Her conversation with Jesus shows her faith and courage. She gets up immediately and leaves the guests, leaves her mourning, and goes to meet him. She is grieving the death of her brother with a house full of mourners when she hears that Jesus has just come to the area. The next visit shows how well Martha learned this lesson. It is, however, comforting to note that Jesus loved her just the same. In Martha we see ourselves - worried and distracted by all we have to do in the world and forgetting to spend time with Jesus. He reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important - listening to him. He observes that Martha is worried about many things that distract her from really being present to him. Jesus' response is not unkind, which gives us an idea of his affection for her. ![]() Instead of speaking to her sister, she asks Jesus to intervene. Imagine her frustration when her sister Mary ignores the rule of hospitality and Martha's work in order to sit and listen to Jesus. Hospitality is paramount in the Middle East and Martha believed in its importance. Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her home and immediately goes to work to serve them. Many of us find it easy to identify with Martha in the story Luke tells. The Order of Saint Lazarus works daily for a better world."Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus." This unique statement in John's gospel tells us of the special relationship Jesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother.Īpparently Jesus was a frequent guest at Martha's home in Bethany, a small village two miles from Jerusalem. Thanks to its members and volunteers, the Order of Saint Lazarus engages in charity work around the world, helping thousands of sick, suffering and needy. As a truly ecumenical order of chivalry, membership in the Order of Saint Lazarus is open, through sponsorship, to Christian men and women, who respect the values of Christianity, who hold an ardent desire to help others and work for Christian unity. The Order has retained its traditional moral values such as the spirit of service, sacrifice and discipline which still characterizes the Knights today.īattles are no longer with the sword the modern battle is fought in the struggle against disease, poverty, exclusion and intolerance and by promoting and defending the faith.Īll members of the Order, whether clergy or laity, are devoted to the values of Christian charity striving for spiritual perfection by working for the good of others. As Christians, they are inhabited by a ‘nobility of spirit’ which is illustrated in their conduct and self-sacrifice. As an order of chivalry, the Order of Saint Lazarus has retained the virtues of nobility but today its members are drawn from across the social spectrum. The Order of Saint Lazarus is the only Catholic Order in the world which admits non-Catholic members. ![]() Private Association of the Faithful - 501-C3 Non Profit Organization ![]()
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