Martha shows us the active life while Mary shows us the way of the contemplative. We are all on a journey towards the Heavenly Kingdom and there we will come to enjoy the contemplative life of Mary for all eternity. We cannot claim that Martha’s way was found to be in error for she strived to serve Christ. We should strive to find a balance between these two individuals in order that we may better be at service to the Gospels.
Mary shows that in the midst of our busy schedules that we must find the time to foster a relationship with God. Martha shows that despite the many ongoings of our life that we should be found in service of God. As Christians we must be both active and contemplative in our undertaking of faith. We must work, go to school, have social interactions (all of this is normal), but we don’t have to undertake these things as if they are exempt from God. We must always remember that God is in our midst and that we serve Him alone.
Martha is found toiling about in the affairs of everyday life. We cannot blame her for her actions or we in return would have to give up ministering to those who are in need. Rather, Martha invites us to undertake works of mercy. She invites us to make our life a reflection of this service to God. We are not being challenged to surrender the ongoings of our life, but we are being challenged to make sure that all that we do is done in service to God and thus from this reality we are sent forth to draw other souls to know and love this same God.
Mary is found at the feet of Jesus. She is taking upon herself the Divine Knowledge of our Lord and Savior. From this interaction with Him she is being formed into what we will come to know in the life to come. We who toil about and are found to be busy must find our consolation with Mary. She shows that we still have the time to foster this relationship with God which is most important. There is always something more to be done and to obsess over (maybe it is finding that next Pokemon), but Mary shows that it is possible to stop and thus allow our hearts to be lifted up to God.
Therefore may we find ways to find balance between the actions of Martha and Mary. May these two saints assist us in further reflecting upon our life and thus finding ways through which we may emulate them more in our service of God.
To be like Mary we must question how we can pray more despite the busyness of life. To be like her we must question what ways we can remember God despite our many anxieties and trials. To be like Martha we must question how we can better carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. To be like her we must question what actions of our life distract or even cut off our relationship with God and thus in return be willing to surrender them in order that we may better serve the Gospels.
