But what was it in particular about those individuals that Jesus loved most? Jesus said, “But I am among you as one who serves.” (Lk 22:27). Perhaps it was Martha’s capability to “practice hospitality” (Rom 12:13) - a quality valued by Jesus but from His divine perspective. Martha, known for serving and preparing a meal for her Divine Guest - without the help of her sister – nourished her household. Martha characterized Jesus Who “taking the five loaves and the two fish…” (Mt 14:19-20) fed the multitude.
Mary, the contemplative sister, is renowned for choosing the better part (Lk 10:42). Since “God created man in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:27) did Jesus most especially see his reflection in Mary of Bethany? She, who sat at his feet and later “took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus” (Jn 12:3) loved him lavishly. For the “three hundred denarii” (Jn 12:5) it cost her was the equivalent of a year’s wages in those days. Certainly Jesus was aware that Mary’s tender example of devotion was in imitation of his “total self giving…covenant of love with the Church sealed with his blood on the Cross”. (Familiaris Consortio).
This now brings us to ponder the figure of Lazarus who went into the grave ahead of Jesus. Perhaps this is why the Lord wept. (Jn 11:35). Again, St. John writes of communion between Jesus and yet another member of that favored household of Bethany. “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” (Jn 11:3). But it was precisely because He loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus and their relationship with Him that He could linger for days before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Their love for Jesus wasn’t fragile. Even Jesus states, “For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing…For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (Jn 5:20-21).
But just before he raised her brother Lazarus from the dead, Jesus shared the supplemental Good News of what He was about. He said to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life…” (Jn 11:25) and she responded with the witness of her own
faith and supplemental, improved love along the path towards full acceptance of Jesus: “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” (Jn 11:27).
The raising of Lazarus was the climactic event that caused the crowd to cry “Crucify him!” (Jn 19:15). We can imagine the siblings’ gratitude and shock at the depth of Jesus’ love for them. Yet it was through their own love and sacrifice that these intimate friends of Jesus were linked to his mission –each in their own unique way: Martha for her faith, Lazarus for his hope and Mary for her love. And for that he loved each of them as brother and sister.
All of the baptized are members of the Family of God – the Church. Our own contemporary households can welcome the Lord through family prayer and reception of the sacraments. Living in imitation of Christ like Martha and Mary and Lazarus through the gift of family life, will lead us to Jesus Who will acknowledge us before the Father and we will rejoice and accept that Jesus loves us too.
