The many faces of Martha of Bethany

by Diane E. Peters

In a remarkable survey of canonical writings, traditional beliefs and popular religious practices, Diane Peters reveals the Martha of Bethany who has been hidden behind centuries of storytelling and artworks designed to make an example of her. Peters sleuths her way through history to present Martha as a gospel witness, a woman of faith, a disciple of Jesus and a woman of action: a missionary. She also explores the Martha of apocryphal and Gnostic literature, and her activities recorded in legends as a preacher, evangelist and spiritual leader in Gaul. Martha has served as an important role model for anyone active in the life and work of the Church, especially women. As this book shows, it's time to discover the real Martha and listen to what she says to us today.