Why is it we readily recall Jesus’ words to Martha in St. Luke’s Gospel, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) but forget the strength of Martha’s faith shown in St. John’s Gospel, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” (John 11:27)?
So many of us can relate to Martha, a lay person like us who becomes anxious and worried about many things in our daily lives. But there is hope! Let us not forget hope!
If we forget that we're called to holiness, and we forget that it is possible to have a really deep loving relationship with Jesus, we are never going to accomplish anything. We can't do it on our own. We'll begin to think we can out of pride, or we'll be pouting and becoming even more turned in on ourselves. Certainly, that sense that every human person was created to be a witness of Christ, to know Him, and to be a witness of His - that is vitally needed. Vitally needed. It is such a secularized society that just saying it is being counter-cultural in a really healthy way that the world needs. So that call to holiness, the willingness to listen, to take it in and to be really convinced about it, and joyful that I have been called to do this - those are great blessings that the world needs. Lay people’s witness is vitally needed for others to trust in that call. (Bishop Olmsted, para. 389-391) from the recently published book, "Bishop Olmsted, on Life, Faith, and Leadership."
What is the ‘One Thing’? It is a relationship with Jesus Christ in two parts: listening and doing God's will. Martha listened, learned, and thus ultimately was able to make one of the clearest articulations about who Jesus is in the Gospels. Martha went to greet Jesus, poured out her honest feelings to Him, and then listened and did as Jesus asked, letting the stone be rolled away from Lazarus' tomb. Miracles can and do still happen, but not always in the way we expect. The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
In addition to Mass, reading of scripture, and prayer, where can we go to help ‘increase our faith’? The Hour of the Laity Conference (THL2024): Lumen Gentium (November 7-9th at Christ Cathedral, Orange County, CA) is a national gathering for all lay Catholics who seek to grow in positive, healthy values grounded in truth and faith. It provides Catholic leadership formation to strengthen and prepare the laity to become ambassadors of Christ in our day-to-day lives and the secular world. The experts, panelists, and keynotes are lay people who positively impact society and are sound examples of authentic lay Catholic leadership.
This conference is for all lay Catholic leaders who come from many different professions, educational backgrounds, ages and statuses in life but are united in wanting to learn more about responding to God’s call to sainthood as a layperson.
Each year, several Saints and Servants of God (those in consideration for Canonization) are identified as patron saint role models, and we request intercessory prayers for the conference's success. St. Martha’s feast day is July 29th. With St. Martha as a role model, let us pray:
Holy St. Martha, eager and willing to serve, be with me as I too seek to do that which pleases our Lord. Help me to balance my activity and work with a prayerful and listening heart. May I, like you, rush to meet Jesus whenever I hear Him approach me in the sick, the poor, and the downcast. Inspire my charity and service to be fruitful and humble. May I see Jesus in the faces of all those I am called to serve and realize that whatever I do for one of them, I am doing for Christ Himself. Through a life of generous service, may I too say to Jesus: "Yes Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God…" (THL2024 Saints Series is sponsored by our friends at Catholic Prayer Cards.)
At THL2024, we aim to increase faith by encouraging, enlightening and enabling lay Catholic leaders to bring Christ’s light to families, businesses and professional settings. We pray for continued growth in holiness and success in business ventures for all who attend!
Stay tuned for future articles to learn more about Saints and Servants of God role models.
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