Today's gospel, 29 July: "Do you believe this?”
The Feast of Saints, Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Today, 29 July, is the Feast of Saints, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, a "lesser festival", previously dedicated to Martha alone. Martha is known, on account of the narrative in Luke chapter 10, for her busyness, worry, distraction and apparent preoccupation with the practicalities of hospitality and related domestic concerns. She is often compared, negatively, and by the Lord himself, with her sister Mary. Mary is presented as more inclined towards devotion and learning - pursued in the typical posture of the student or disciple as they glean knowledge from the rabbi or master - sitting at the feet of Jesus. Yet it was to Martha that Jesus made the seminal statement that has been a source of courage, strength and faith for Christians everywhere and ever since:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
The Feast of Martha, Mary and Lazarus invites us to ask ourselves afresh about our belief in Jesus Christ and our confidence in his person and teaching, his death and resurrection and the giving of the Spirit, our Friend and Comforter and the guarantee of our own future resurrection. It encourages us to take hold and enjoy the wonderful promise given to us of eternal life with God who is love.
The gospel John 11:19-27
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.
Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’
Sacred Space
A gentle prayer guide and reflection can be found here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-07-29/
Christian Art
A reflection on the gospel and a painting can be found here:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-11-19-27-2025/
Regular Service Pattern for the Aughaval Parishes
- Turlough Parish Church: Saturdays weekly at 7pm. Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th of month; Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Sundays.
- Christ Church Castlebar: Sundays weekly at 10am. Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd of month; Morning Prayer, 2nd and 4th, followed by tea.
- Holy Trinity Westport: Sundays weekly, currently in St Mary's Church, South Mall, at 12 noon, followed by tea/coffee in Carrowbeg House.
- St Thomas's Dugort, Achill: Sundays weekly (April to Sept incl.) at 3pm
- Open Church Weekly Drop-in, Christ Church Castlebar, Fridays 11am -1pm.
- Midweek Holy Communion, Wednesdays at 10.30am in St Mary’s Church, Westport, followed by coffee in Clew Bay Hotel (from 11.05 am).
- Online Prayer and Bible Study, Weds at 8pm.
Please note that during August there will be no Midweek Holy Communion services and no Online Prayer meetings.
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins, 083 800 3233
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Website aughaval.tlk.ie
