July 29th - St. Martha By: Georgiana Issac

July 29th is the Feast Day of St. Martha.  She is the patron saint of cooks.   St. Martha is said to have had contact with Jesus himself during her lifetime. The exact quote is “Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus.” Proof of this relationship is found in the gospel of John, which shows Martha’s inviting Jesus into her home. When Jesus was inside Martha’s home, she served him entirely. Martha was said to have cooked for him, which is one of the reasons that she was the patron saint of cooks. Her hospitality to Jesus during his visits to her home makes her one of the few saints that had personal contact with Christ Himself.
St. Martha is also the patron saint of innkeepers and maids. She believed in serving the Lord, and did so in person, giving us a reason to call upon her in those moments when our function is to serve. She did so with great joy in her heart. Her medals frequently show her with her hands joined in prayer. 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
O blessed St. Martha, your faith led Jesus to proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life”; and faith let you see beyond his humanity when you cried out, “Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” With firm hope you said, “I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”, and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead. With pure love for Jesus you welcomed him into your home.
Friend and servant of our Saviour, I too am “troubled about many things”. (mention your intentions) Pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love, and that Jesus, who sat at your table, will hear me and grant me a place at the banquet of eternal life. Amen.