July 26, 2026 • Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parish Family,
On July 29, the Church celebrates Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. These beloved siblings of Bethany made their home a place where Jesus was always welcomed. They remind us that some of the most important moments of discipleship happen in the ordinary places of life: around a dinner table, in a family home, in conversation, in friendship, and in prayer.
Each of the three reflects a different aspect of the Christian life. Martha teaches us the dignity of service. She reminds us that hospitality is holy work. Mary teaches us the importance of contemplation. She sits at the feet of Jesus, listens to His voice, and places Him before everything else. Lazarus reminds us of hope. Called from the tomb by Christ, his very life becomes a witness that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life.”
The beauty of this family is not that they were perfect, but that they loved the Lord and welcomed Him into every part of their lives. They laughed together, grieved together, questioned, believed, and grew in faith together. Jesus was not merely an occasional visitor; He was a cherished friend.
Their example invites each of us to ask an important question: Is Christ truly at home in my home? Do our homes reflect His presence in the way we speak to one another, the way we forgive, the way we pray, and the way we care for those in need? A crucifix on the wall or a Bible on the shelf are important. But Jesus desires something even greater. He wants to dwell in our hearts and in our relationships.
In our busy lives, we sometimes feel pulled between being a Martha and being a Mary. The answer is not to choose one over the other. Jesus calls us to both. To serve generously and to pray deeply. Service without prayer can become exhausting. Prayer without service can become disconnected from love. The saints of Bethany show us that the Christian life flourishes when contemplation and action are held together. They prepare us to be called forth, like Lazarus, to Eternal Life.
As we celebrate Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus this week, let us renew our commitment to make our homes places where Christ is welcomed each day. May our tables be places of hospitality, our hearts places of prayer, and our families witnesses to the hope that only Christ can give.
Grace and peace!
Father Neil Sullivan