Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home (Luke 10:38). Martha and her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, lived in Bethany and were friends whose home Jesus used to stay at on his travels.

 Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home (Luke 10:38). Martha and her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, lived in Bethany and were friends whose home Jesus used to stay at on his travels. One time, Martha welcomed him with solicitude, and he invited her to join the service of hospitality in listening to his word, as his sister Mary had done. Lazarus, too, after being buried for four days, was graced by the Lord, who called him back to life. Let us learn from the celebration of this memorial to live fraternally, remembering the importance of dedicating quality time to Jesus, the only Master of our lives. First Reading: 1 John 4:7-16 Reading from the first letter of Saint John – 7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13This is proof that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love: whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 33(34) I will bless the Lord God at all times! 1. I will bless the Lord God at all times, / his praise will always be in my mouth. / my soul makes its boast in the Lord; / let the humble hear and be glad! – R. 2. Magnify the Lord God with me, / let us extol his name together! / When I sought him, he heard me, / and delivered me from all my fears. – R. 3. Look to his face and be glad, / and let not your faces be ashamed! / This poor man cried out to God and was heard, / and the Lord delivered him from all his troubles. – R. 4. The angel of the Lord encamps / around those who fear him and saves them. / Taste and see that the Lord is good! / Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! – R. 5. Fear the Lord, all his saints, / for those who fear him lack nothing. / The rich grow poor and go hungry, / but those who seek the Lord lack nothing. – R. Gospel: John 11:19-27 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world; whoever follows me / will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12). – R. Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to John – At that time, 19many Jews had come to the house of Martha and Mary to comfort them for their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus had come, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even so, I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23Jesus answered her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Then Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though they die, will live. 26And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She answered, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” – Word of salvation. Optional reading: Luke 10:38-42. Reflection: Hospitable and helpful, adjectives that apply appropriately to Martha, a member of a family for whom Jesus had great affection: “Jesus loved Martha, her sister [Mary] and Lazarus” (Jn 11:5). Immersed in her household chores, Martha received a gentle rebuke from the Master for being “concerned about so many things” when the right thing to do was to concentrate on the essential: the presence of the distinguished guest. When her brother died, she ran to meet Jesus, expressing her heartfelt complaint and, at the same time, making a clear profession of faith in his power: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (v. 27). A week before Easter, Jesus was once again cordially welcomed into Martha’s house, where she served him dinner. It was then that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with precious perfume (cf. Jn 12:1ff).