Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 29 July 2026
Saints Marta, Mary, and Lazarus, Memorial
1 Jn 4:7-16. Jn 11:19-27
Three Types of Hospitality
According to the Roman Martyrology of 1749, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were considered and honoured as saints. From 1916 until 2021, only Saint Martha was remembered in the liturgy. This was because Martha and Mary Magdalene were considered sisters. Therefore, Mary was remembered on 22 July, and one week later, Martha was remembered on 29 July. But Pope Francis, affirming that Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany are not the same person, invited us to remember today, 29 July, Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
John the Evangelist introduces the saints whom we celebrate today in this way: “Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus” (Jn 11:5).
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, in the north. Jesus begins His journey with His disciples (cf. Lk 9) and goes towards Jerusalem, in the south. On the way to Jerusalem, Luke introduces the sisters Martha and Mary. If we look at the context of the passage, Luke places this event in the section about the greatest commandment. Jesus defines the commandments of love of God and love of neighbour as the greatest commandments. The parable of the Good Samaritan may be seen as an example of love of neighbour, and the event of Martha and Mary may be seen as an example of love of God: “Only one thing is necessary.”
In John’s Gospel, Lazarus is introduced as the brother of Martha and Mary. Jesus raises him from the dead. Later, when Jesus is seated at table, Lazarus is also seated with Him. Lazarus is blessed to live life a second time.
Let us celebrate these three saints through the theme of hospitality. In the biblical tradition and in many traditions of the world, hospitality is highly valued. Hospitality is not only for our relatives and friends. It is a basic human quality offered to all. Hospitality is the sign of sharing our time, energy, and food with others.
In hospitality, we share our food with the one who stands before us. This quality also reminds us that all of us are guests in this world. Moreover, in true hospitality there is no repayment, no calculation, no business.
The saints of today stand as signs of three types of hospitality.
First, Martha: the hospitality of service.
Martha welcomes Jesus into her house and becomes busy with many works. She feels that she is left alone in serving Jesus. She prepares food, attends to the needs of the guest, and takes care of the house. This is the first type of hospitality. It is the readiness and service that we offer in order to meet the needs of others. Opening the doors of our house so that others may come in is also hospitality.
Second, Mary: the hospitality of listening.
Luke writes: “Mary sat at the feet of the Lord and listened to what He was saying.” Mary’s hospitality is intellectual and spiritual. The first step in listening to another person is to sit at that person’s feet. This means listening to the voice of the other without hurry, without prejudice, and without judgement. To listen to others, we need an open heart.
Third, Lazarus: the hospitality of friendship.
Jesus says to His disciples: “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him” (cf. Jn 11:11). Also, when Jesus stands near the tomb of Lazarus and weeps, the Jews say among themselves: “See how much He loved him!” (cf. Jn 11:35-36). Here we see hospitality in the form of relationship, in two ways: friendship and love.
Let us celebrate again the quality and value of hospitality.
The Bible says: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (cf. Heb 13:2).
In the first reading, John writes: “Whoever remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” Hospitality is the expression of love.
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are models of hospitality.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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