A house does not become a home until someone takes on the role of Saint Martha. On July 29th, Saint Martha is celebrated as, patron saint of housewives, cooks, and hospitality workers. This day often goes unnoticed, unless there is a Martha in your family. I believe that in this bad marketing campaign, there is a relationship between the lack of celebration of this holiday and the undervaluation of these tasks. For example, the disdain for traditional wives, a disdain that I have unfortunately heard up close.
From these lines, I want to give visibility to this date, so that it reaches the notoriety of celebrations such as Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day. Only then will we realize that a house becomes a home when someone takes on the role of Saint Martha, taking care of the well-being of the family in all aspects.
Housework is endless and perishable: a dish that took hours to prepare is consumed in minutes, and the dust reappears quickly, almost instantly after being vacuumed. Despite the effort required, these daily tasks are little appreciated until one becomes the Saint Martha of one’s home.
At a time when order and interior decoration are booming, we should take advantage of the opportunity to honor Saint Martha on July 29. She is an example of dedication and service, and this date is an opportunity to value those who take on that role in our lives.
Are you the one who plays Saint Martha at home?
If you are the one who takes on that role in your home, congratulations! Even if you sometimes feel that your effort is not appreciated, offer it to Jesus and invite him to rest in your home, as he did in Martha’s home in Bethany.
When household chores overwhelm you, remember the words of the Lord: “Whatever you did for one of these brothers, you did for me.” By caring for your family and your guests, you are caring for Jesus. Every daily task, however mundane, becomes an extraordinary activity.
Let the house be the favorite place for your family, to achieve this we ask for the intercession of Saint Martha when household chores overwhelm us. She will remind us of what the Lord told her: “Only one thing is important…”. It is not the washing machine or the cooking of the meat. It is prayer that transforms homes making them welcoming, and the rosary brings the presence of Christ in a subtle but unmistakable way, with a “je ne sais quoi” that only the Virgin can bring.
If the Lord finds rest and feels loved in your home, do not doubt that he will help you as much as he helped Lazarus’ family. Shall we celebrate next July 29, the day of Saint Martha? Why not??
