< <  

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

  > >

Sts. Martha, Mary & Lazarus


Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28

View Readings
Similar Reflections

sinking ship

“One thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.” —Luke 10:42

Don’t just do something, sit there. Our world constantly pushes us to do something, to rush and run. Our world tells us that increasing our speed will somehow compensate for not knowing where we’re going. God tells us to slow down, sit down, or kneel down, but don’t speed up. Many of us are like St. Martha, bustling around, “anxious and upset about many things” (Lk 10:41). Jesus calls us to be like St. Mary of Bethany, “who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to His words” (Lk 10:39).

Realistically, making the decision to stop and pray is the most practical thing we can do. The world is on a runaway, collision course with death, and our only hope is prayer. “Let My eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of My people, over her incurable wound” (Jer 14:17). No amount of activity will fix this world. We need a miracle. It’s just a prayer away.

The prayer of faith is our only hope, and the only hope we need. Our world is dead. It’s been in the tomb long enough to smell of corruption (Jn 11:39). There’s nothing we can do but believe in Jesus, “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25).

Prayer:  Father, I realize I may be busily cleaning a sinking ship. I pray for a miracle and accept Your divine will.

Promise:  “As the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him.” —Ps 103:11

Praise:  St. Martha so loved Jesus that she served a banquet in His honor (Jn 12:2).

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Pray for Revival listen to, download or order our AV 56-1 or V 56 on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 25, 2024"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.