St. Martha was the sister of Sts. Lazarus and Mary at Bethany. She was the hostess of the household, probably the eldest sister. When Jesus stayed at the home in Bethany, Martha tended to his needs. On one visit, recorded in Luke (10:38-42), Martha complained that Mary sat listening to Jesus, leaving her with all the work.

Jesus said, “it is Mary who has chosen the better part.” Martha thus became the prototype of the activist Christian and Mary the symbol of the contemplative life. St. Gregory the Great wrote, “For what is set forth by Mary, who sitting down gave ear to the words of our Lord, save the life of contemplation? And what by Martha, so busied with outward services, save the life of action? Now Martha’s concern is not reproved, but that of Mary is even commended.” He then arrived at this vital conclusion: “For the merits of the active life are great, but of the contemplative, far better.”

Martha was the one who went out to meet Jesus when Lazarus died (John 11:20), while Mary remained at home. Later, Martha went with Mary and Lazarus to Gaul (modern France), serving as missionaries.