Justin Appel

Dear Friends,

On the Western calendar, today, July 29, is the feast of Ss. Mary and Martha of Bethany.

I think we tend to remember these two women in a sort of shorthand way through a single story, when Jesus came and visited them in Bethany. We think of Mary as a devout disciple while Martha was bothered with 'unimportant' chores.

Perhaps this isn't a complete assessment of the story, nor of these women.

True, Jesus did rebuke Martha for being 'worried and distracted', and it is a central theme of the story, but this doesn't mean her desire to work was totally wrong! The story doesn't negate the larger themes of service and prayer, of action and contemplation, that are sometimes ascribed to Martha and Mary, and that we recognize as essential elements of discipleship.

It's important to remember that the larger Gospel narratives present these women favorably, showing both to have extraordinary faith.

John’s Gospel describes Mary as the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet with pure nard. This kind of sacrifice, this abandonment of all good sense to show love and devotion to Jesus stirs our souls because it eschews our familiar economic values: it was a contemplative action!

Martha is remembered for her beautiful profession of faith in Jesus, also contained in John's Gospel: 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.'

Subsequently, these women are honored in the hagiographical tradition as part of the venerable Myrrh-Bearing Women who go to Jesus’ tomb early on the first day of the week.

Whatever their individual proclivities, both women came to understand that 'one thing is needful' in the course of the Gospel narrative. This is why the Church holds up Mary and Martha as saintly examples for our emulation. Their stories also teach us that we need prayer and work, ora et labora, to balance our discipleship.

Yours in Christ,
Justin

Readings and Collect for the Day