24
Jul
A ‘NEW’ MEMORIAL? Until 2020, the General Roman Calendar of the Latin or Western Rite Churches [as opposed to the Byzantine or other Eastern Rite Churches in union with the Pope] designated July 29 as the Feast of Saint Martha. But on January 26, 2021, at Pope Francis’ request, we added her brother Lazarus and sister Mary to that day. We now have new orations that honor the three siblings in whose home in Bethany Jesus found a warm welcome, a good meal, a respite from His ministry – and a dose of what we politely call ‘family dynamics.’ Below are the revised orations for this ‘new’ Feast Day.
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Collect – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus, Memorial Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the |
REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL LIFE DRAMAS. Is any family without its ‘drama’ and dysfunctional dilemmas? Only Luke details the dynamic dispute the overworked Martha had over Mary for resting at Jesus’ feet [Luke 10:38-42, which was last Sunday’s Gospel]; and only John recounts the Raising of Lazarus and how both sisters questioned Jesus as to why He was absent when their brother needed Him. [John 11:1-45] While only John states it was this Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and dried them with her hair [12:1-12], the other three Gospels tell of this event without naming the woman who did it. John also adds that since the revived Lazarus was causing many to believe in Jesus, they plotted to kill Lazarus, too! Are we willing to be as ‘real’ with Jesus and endure whatever price we pay for calling Him our Friend?
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Prayer over the Offerings – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus As we proclaim your wonders in your Saints, |
SO MANY MARYS IN THE GOSPEL! Like the name ‘Simon,’ the name ‘Mary’ – or versions of those names – were very common in biblical times – so, there’s some confusion as to which ‘Mary’ the Gospels mention. One reason the Latin Rite did not honor all three siblings on the same day as did other Catholic Rites, was that – until recently, some Scripture scholars believed that Mary of Magdala [aka Mary Magdalen, whose Feast Day is July 22] was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and/or the adulterous woman saved by Jesus’ famous response: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [John 8:7] By changing the General Roman Calendar to honor all three siblings at once, Pope Francis hopes to end the ‘rocky’ road [pun intended] Mary of Bethany has endured for centuries.
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Prayer after Communion – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus May the holy reception of the Body and Blood |
“THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER …” The other main reason the Holy Father united Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ Feast Day on one day is to emphasize the power that comes from inviting Jesus into our homes and lives, as they so often did. We know from the Gospels that they enjoyed meals, conversations, and above all, prayer, in these meals. We also know they felt so at ease with Jesus that they could respectfully say whatever was on their minds or in their hearts to Him … and the Lord responded. Our families can enjoy that same communion with Jesus by coming to holy Mass as a family when possible; by praying together at meals and other times; by keeping visible symbols of our Catholic Faith in prominent places that prod us to recall the unseen Guest who longs to share every moment of our lives with us. Would Jesus feel as ‘at home’ in our homes as He was in the three siblings’ home in Bethany? Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, pray for us!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS
A ‘NEW’ MEMORIAL? Until 2020, the General Roman Calendar of the Latin or Western Rite Churches [as opposed to the Byzantine or other Eastern Rite Churches in union with the Pope] designated July 29 as the Feast of Saint Martha. But on January 26, 2021, at Pope Francis’ request, we added her brother Lazarus and sister Mary to that day. We now have new orations that honor the three siblings in whose home in Bethany Jesus found a warm welcome, a good meal, a respite from His ministry – and a dose of what we politely call ‘family dynamics.’ Below are the revised orations for this ‘new’ Feast Day.
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Collect – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus, Memorial Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the |
REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL LIFE DRAMAS. Is any family without its ‘drama’ and dysfunctional dilemmas? Only Luke details the dynamic dispute the overworked Martha had over Mary for resting at Jesus’ feet [Luke 10:38-42, which was last Sunday’s Gospel]; and only John recounts the Raising of Lazarus and how both sisters questioned Jesus as to why He was absent when their brother needed Him. [John 11:1-45] While only John states it was this Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and dried them with her hair [12:1-12], the other three Gospels tell of this event without naming the woman who did it. John also adds that since the revived Lazarus was causing many to believe in Jesus, they plotted to kill Lazarus, too! Are we willing to be as ‘real’ with Jesus and endure whatever price we pay for calling Him our Friend?
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Prayer over the Offerings – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus As we proclaim your wonders in your Saints, |
SO MANY MARYS IN THE GOSPEL! Like the name ‘Simon,’ the name ‘Mary’ – or versions of those names – were very common in biblical times – so, there’s some confusion as to which ‘Mary’ the Gospels mention. One reason the Latin Rite did not honor all three siblings on the same day as did other Catholic Rites, was that – until recently, some Scripture scholars believed that Mary of Magdala [aka Mary Magdalen, whose Feast Day is July 22] was the sister of Martha and Lazarus and/or the adulterous woman saved by Jesus’ famous response: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [John 8:7] By changing the General Roman Calendar to honor all three siblings at once, Pope Francis hopes to end the ‘rocky’ road [pun intended] Mary of Bethany has endured for centuries.
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Prayer after Communion – Saints Martha, Mary & Lazarus May the holy reception of the Body and Blood |
“THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER …” The other main reason the Holy Father united Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ Feast Day on one day is to emphasize the power that comes from inviting Jesus into our homes and lives, as they so often did. We know from the Gospels that they enjoyed meals, conversations, and above all, prayer, in these meals. We also know they felt so at ease with Jesus that they could respectfully say whatever was on their minds or in their hearts to Him … and the Lord responded. Our families can enjoy that same communion with Jesus by coming to holy Mass as a family when possible; by praying together at meals and other times; by keeping visible symbols of our Catholic Faith in prominent places that prod us to recall the unseen Guest who longs to share every moment of our lives with us. Would Jesus feel as ‘at home’ in our homes as He was in the three siblings’ home in Bethany? Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus, pray for us!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS