Santa Marta de Betania Santa Marta Saint Martha of Bethany First Century Saint Martha of Bethany was a virgin and was born sometimes in the 1st century. She is the sister of Mary and Lazarus. They were all friends of Jesus who often stayed at their home, and Martha was the most soliciotous of His welfare. Martha, Mary and Lazarus are standing in the foreground of the life of Jesus. The home at Bethany was to him a home of quiet and rest, where a cordial and loving welcome was extended with sincere affection. A beautiful friendship sprang up between Jesus and the siblings of Bethany, the home was one of friendly peace that was not tainted with interested ambition. Jesus often been a guest in their home, in the famous incident in Luke 10:38-42, Martha asked Christ to tell her sister Mary, who was listening to the Lord, to help her in the household preparations; whereupon Jesus chided Martha for bustling about so, concluding. It is Mary who has chosen the better part. Martha thus become the prototype of the active Christians and Mary the symbol of contemplative life. It was Martha who went out to meet Jesus after the death of Lazarus, while Mary Remained at home. Martha declared her faith before Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God (John 11:1-45). Living in Faith According to a medieval legend, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Martha, Mary and Lazarus together with other Christians were put by the Jews in an oarless and rudderless boat and set adrift from Jaffa and landed safely in Gaul. They then travelled inland from Marseilles to Aix, where Marthas preaching converted many to Christianity. It is also believed that Martha revived the life of a man who fell into the ground at Rhone Valley, trying to hear her sermon. It is believed that Saint Martha saw her sister Mary ascend into heaven and she died shortly afterwards. Her relics are at Tarascon Provence, France. Other relics are in Wittenberg, Tuscany and Nuremberg. Saint Martha is the patron saint of all good Housewives and Careful Mothers, Cooks, Dieticians, Nurses, Hoteliers, and Servants. She is also invoked as Patron and Model of Social Workers. The character of Saint Martha makes a strong appeal to energentic women and especially to comfort - loving men. Saint Marthas feast day is July 29th Sources: Pocket Dictionary of Saints - Abridged Edition by John J. Delaney Saint Martha of Bethany, written by Margaret Odrowaz-sypniewska, B.F.A.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 07:49:46 +0000
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