Trust

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

ImageKristin's Crosses
[public domain]

The Raising of Lazarus, by Andrea Vaccaro, 1640

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

John 11:20-27

In its 2021 decree on combining veneration of Mary and Lazarus with Martha, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said, “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the one who humiliated death.”

Franciscan Media

Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia

ImageKristin's Crosses

[public domain]

Saint Benedict’s Vision of the Globe and the three Angels, by Alonzo Cano, 1658-1660

Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia

O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you.
I pledge myself to do your will in all things:
To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength.
Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness.
To honor all persons. Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself.
To chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting.
To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead.
To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To hold myself aloof from worldly ways.
To prefer nothing to the love of Christ. Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge.
Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false peace. Not to forsake charity.
Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To speak the truth with heart and tongue.
Not to return evil for evil. To do no injury: yea, even to bear patiently any injury done to me.
To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them.
To bear persecution for justice’ sake. Not to be proud.
Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful.
Not to be a murmured. Not to be a detractor. To put my trust in God.
To refer the good I see in myself to God. To refer any evil in myself to myself.
To fear the Day of Judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing.
To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions.
To remember that God sees me everywhere.
To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arises in my heart.
To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk.
To read only what is good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often.
To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life.
To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.
To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one.
Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honor the aged.
To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun.
Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy.
Amen.