At my confirmation I took the name of Martha — a saint I identified with readily as she was always the first to cook for everyone, clean house for everyone, and in general, worry about everyone else. Admirable virtues to be sure — but she needed a gentle reminder that there was nothing wrong with taking space and time for herself to reflect on her faith. The dinner could wait; so could the diners. On this All Saints Day, I remember her along with a few others I find helpful and worth thinking about: St. Ignatius, St Michael, St. Catherine, St Theresa, St Francis, St Peter, St John, St. Philip of Neri, St. Anthony, St. Jude, and St. Joan…to name a handful of regulars on my list. I have the four volume set of Butler's Lives of the Saints (and people ask me where I get my ideas) and it is very enjoyable to read through it, discovering the biographies of little known saints, while eating miniature bars of Halloween chocolate. Nice segue.
**Art: Johannes (Jan) Vermeer, "Christ in the House of Martha and Mary," 1655