Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (2026)
One
Martha, Mary, and the One Thing Needed
Today is the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In Luke 10, we read, “Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house…”
You know the story. Mary sits in stillness at Jesus’ feet while Martha is flustered with all the work. Jesus gently says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”
It’s tempting to see this as a simple contrast: Martha bad, Mary good. But slow down. Who invited Jesus in the first place? Most likely, it was Martha. Scripture makes the point that “Martha welcomed him into her house…”
Martha's invitation that made the encounter with Jesus possible. Her hospitality built the space for friendship. And that friendship led to one of Jesus’ most tender miracles, the raising of their brother, Lazarus. Ultimately all three became saints. That’s no small thing. So yes, Mary chose the better part, but Martha made the better part possible. She is the saint of invitation, of presence, of setting the table.
And now, it’s our turn to do the same.
Two
The Lie That Isolates Us
There is a frightening trend. Instead of friendship, people are choosing entertainment. Instead of conversation, they scroll. Instead of hospitality, they retreat behind screens. And the result? Loneliness. Disconnection. Despair.
Entertainment offers the illusion of connection, without cost, without effort, without risk. But people? People are inconvenient. They’re imperfect. They interrupt our plans. They ask something of us. Or worse, they reject us. And so we don’t take the risk and make the effort to build friendships with family and friends. And we isolate ourselves, not realizing we’re building our own prison. The worst part of Hell isn’t the fire. It’s being alone forever, with only your thoughts to keep you company.
If you're retreating into news, sports, entertainment or social media instead of risking relationship, then you’re rehearsing for Hell. Is that what you want?
Three
Friendship: The Antidote to Despair
Now maybe your life feels boring. Or painful. Or overwhelming. And maybe you think: I just need to escape for a little while. But when the show ends, nothing has changed. The pain is still there. The boredom returns. The loneliness deepens. Friendship is the only real antidote. When life is painful, a friend doesn't remove the pain, but they share it.
When life is overwhelming, a friend helps you carry the load. When life is boring, a friend draws us out of ourselves and opens our eyes to the richness of life. Entertainment is passive. It demands nothing from you. But in the end it makes you less human. Friendship demands everything that makes us more human and more divine because it takes commitment. You don’t wait until it’s convenient. It takes invitation. People are waiting to be invited, and they will keep waiting until you act. It takes hospitality, which means creating moments worth coming to: a meal, a walk, a game night, a shared prayer. It takes consistency, the glue of any lasting relationship. It takes patience and forgiveness, because there is no perfect friend, and you aren’t one either.
Entertainment is sterile. Friendship is messy. But the mess is where the joy is.
Four
What Will You Do About It?
I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I looked around at my life, my wife, my dad, my grown kids, their spouses, my grandkids, and I made a decision. Once a week, I cook supper. I open the door. I invite them in. We eat, we talk, we laugh. I don't nag those who don’t come. I rejoice in those who do. I keep showing up.
It took a few years of patience and perseverance, but now it's become a habit, a rhythm of love, built around presence, shared meals, and good conversation. No big programs. Just invitation, friendship and good conversation. You don’t need a crowd. You need one person. Start there. Invite them in. Cook something. Ask a good question. Be like Martha and set the table. Because Jesus still comes to those who make room.
Five
Don't Build Friendship Alone
I've learned one more thing. Don't try to build friendship by yourself. Find one partner. Usually one person is the inviter. They think of people. They make the call. They extend the invitation. The other is the supporter. They welcome people. They make conversation. They notice who's missing. They help everyone feel at home. Together they create a place where friendship grows.
And don't overcomplicate it. You don't have to prepare a gourmet meal. Have a potluck and let everyone bring something. Meet for coffee. Pray a Rosary together. Start a simple book club. Go for a walk. Invite your buddies for bourbon and a cigar and sit on the deck and talk. Don't confuse hospitality with entertaining. Hospitality is about making room for people. Then invite one more person. That's all.
That's how families become stronger. That's how parishes come alive. That's how the Kingdom of God grows. Be like Martha. Open the door. Make room. Jesus still comes wherever someone makes room for friendship.