The delight of Jesus

The house of Bethany was the delight of Jesus when he was on earth; it was his favourite dwelling. There he was intimately known by Lazarus, served by Martha and madly loved by Mary. ~ St Teresa of the Andes

We all have places where we love and delight to be, and people we love and delight to be with. It's especially lovely when the two come together: when we arrive at a door, knowing that love, friendship and a warm welcome await; when we can relax and feel at home, even in unfamiliar surroundings, because of the beloved people in that space. And this must surely have been how Jesus felt, in all his humanity, every time he arrived in Bethany. Away from the hostility and confrontational questions of the religious authorities, and the demands and fickleness of the crowds, here was a place, here were people with whom he could relax, and from whom he could receive genuine, heartfelt kindness. 

And - with all respect to St Teresa - I like to think that Jesus experienced service, intimacy and immense love from all three siblings. I'm sure that both Mary and Lazarus would have enjoyed bringing drinks and ensuring Jesus' relaxation, even if Martha was the undoubted homemaker; while the robustness of Martha's exchanges with Jesus, and the depth of her faith and insight, surely came from a place of deep, intimate friendship with him. Yes; Mary, Apostle to the Apostles, was the first witness to the Resurrection, but as today's Gospel reminds us, it was to Martha that Jesus first revealed this core of his identity and purpose.

Today, as we celebrate Martha, Mary and Lazarus, we can all bring to mind and give thanks for the lovely people who have created and welcomed us into all the Bethanies in our own lives. And let us also ask for the grace to be people who create our own Bethanies, where others love to be... beginning with Jesus. May each one of us be his delight, and his favourite place in which to everlastingly dwell.