We learn of Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary in the Gospels of Luke and John.

In Luke we learn that it is Martha who receives Jesus into their house and who serves Him.   Mary is given little prominence, and described as the sister of the Martha.  It is Martha who carries out the culture invitation and service to the household guest, Jesus.  It is Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus and opened her ears to hear Him teach.  From Mary, I learn that sometimes I need to be less busy and take the time to open my ears in humility and meekness to hear Christ.

In John, we learn that “Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary and [her brother] Lazarus.”   After Lazarus’ death, it is Martha who first greets Jesus with: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Martha speaks the line with some doubt, while Mary when she saw Jesus fell at his feet as repeated the same greeting, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” From Mary, I learn that the faith and acts that accompany prayer matter.

Further in John, Jesus for a third time visits Martha and Mary in Bethany on to his way to His Pascal sacrifice in Jerusalem.  “Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.”  From Mary, I learn that it is important to always glorify Christ.