MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS at Bethany

29 July 2014  Night Office Saints, Memorial.
Cistercian Calendar; Saints. Martha, Mary and Lazarus.     

Bethany. Edinburgh old master 

29 JULY - SAINTS. MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS From a Sermon of Saint Bernard on Luke 10: 38-42 

'Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha received him into her house.' What is the meaning we should draw, my brothers, when we read that only one of the two sisters received the Lord, and that one is she who seems to ‘be the lesser? Mary has chosen the good portion', said Jesus whom Martha received. Martha, it seems was the elder by birth, just as it is obvious that action rather than contemplation is the beginning of salvation. Martha therefore received the Lord into her house in this world; Mary, however, was more concerned how she might be received by him into the house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. Yet she, too, may be seen to have received the Lord, but in spirit, for 'the Lord is the Spirit.'

But let us move on to consider how rightly ordered charity has shared out in our own daily context these three realities: the external administration of Martha; the contemplation of Mary; the way of penance and renewal of Lazarus. In the spiritually developed person each of these three is found simultaneously. Each individual function is seen best, however, as pertaining to' particular people, so that some are free for contemplation, some are concerned with brotherly service, some are intent on rectifying their lives by penance ...

'A woman named Martha received him into her house.' Those of the community who have charge of a department certainly occupy the place of Martha; the needs of community life and charity have singled them out for various assignments. Would that I too may be found worthy to be counted as faithful among those who hold office! For to whom does the Lord's saying, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious' seem to apply more fittingly than to those in authority, even though in their position of responsibility their anxiety is praiseworthy? ... ... I quote the words of St. Paul who, while warning officials about anxiety, himself stirs up anxiety on behalf of all the churches. ‘Who is weak’, he asks, 'and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? ... . ..

Those who are anxious about much serving should look at Mary, to see how she is at peace, to see 'that the Lord is good’. They should notice how she sits at Jesus' feet, her heart at peace and her mind fixed on him. She keeps the Lord ever in her sight and treasures up the words from his lips, for his appearance is beautiful and speech is gentle. ‘Graciousness is poured upon his lips’ and he is 'the fairest of the children of men' more beautiful, even, than the glory of the angels. Rejoice, Mary, and be thankful for you have chosen the good portion. Blessed are the eyes which see what you see and blessed are the ears which have been privileged to’ hear what you hear.   

PL. 183; co1.421D-425A. Leclercq-Rochais Vo1.5, pp.238-243.

Translation Mt. St. Bernard Abbey 1971