Jesus, as for Martha, does not deny the fact of her dedication to work, but seeks to show her the existence of a great danger: she, being worried and agitated by many things

 

Jesus, as for Martha, does not deny the fact of her dedication to work, but seeks to show her the existence of a great danger: she, being worried and agitated by many things, will certainly not find time to be a true disciple and, like the Pharisees, involved with so many minute commandments, no longer know what was really necessary. Martha no longer finds herself or her Lord, even though she knows of his importance and friendship. But it is not enough to know, it is necessary to live. In John 11:19-27, when Martha learns of the arrival of Jesus, four days after the death of Lazarus, she goes to meet HIM, since Jesus was some distance away, and speaks to HIM with catchphrases of Pharisaism, such as: “whatever you ask of God, he will give you” and “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection, on the last day”. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection. It is also true that Martha had great confidence in Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died”. This phrase, placed on Martha’s lips, reveals something else in Jesus. Why wouldn’t Lazarus have died? Jesus himself answers: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus’ answer reveals Martha’s need to deepen her faith. She really needed this new teaching, she needed to delve deeper into the mystery of Jesus Christ, the true Messiah. Martha certainly took the big step, going beyond affection for Jesus to full recognition of his Lordship. While still being a great friend, she became an excellent disciple.

4. As for Mary, she found what was necessary. Although the great risk is not developing, on the other hand, the missionary dimension of faith, or even not wanting to do other activities, becoming a parasite of faith, when that is not what Jesus wants. Mary presents herself as the authentic disciple who, before any activity, any obligation, first sits down to listen to the Lord, to learn from Him. Unlike Martha, when Mary goes to meet Jesus, she does not question anything, she simply kneels and welcomes Him, a sign of someone who already lives as a disciple. The important thing is that Martha and Mary, one sooner and the other later, became authentic disciples, models for the entire Church. Martha discovered that Jesus is everything. In fact, for the disciple, only Jesus Christ is necessary. It is from Christ that the disciple will carry out his activities in the world. All missionary action springs from a true encounter with Christ, from a deep friendship with Him and from an authentic life focused on Him. Anything that compromises this intimacy must be profligate, that is, thrown to the ground. A strong and affectionate hug.