“Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus.” This unique statement in John’s gospel tells us of the special relationship Jesus had with the three siblings. They were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than as one celebrating the conversion of a sinner like Zacchaeus or one unceremoniously received by a suspicious Pharisee. Martha and Mary felt free to call on Jesus at their brother’s death, even though a return to Judea at that time seemed to spell almost certain death.
Their lives showed us how to balance work with prayer, ora et labora.
