Above: Stained glass detail of Christ with Martha and Mary, in the chapel of University College, Oxford. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
Today’s Gospel reading for the Memorial of Saint Martha (Luke 10:38-42) is a familiar one which recounts the story of Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary.
Martha is “anxiously” waiting on Jesus. She is giving Him loving service, but she does so in a distracted manner. She is focused more on her service rather than on the One she is serving. Mary is waiting in a different way—seated at the Lord’s feet, in peace, listening attentively.
Rather than founding an Order that keeps action and contemplation at odds with one another, Saint Dominic saw the need in the Church for both functions—not so much each separately or even both aspects in balance; but with them integrally joined. The great service of preaching bears fruit only when the preacher prays. The preacher prays because he loves Jesus who is the Truth, the same saving Truth which the preacher will then proclaim.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, true son of Saint Dominic, extols the value of such an apostolic way of life, stating that it is “better to illuminate than merely to shine; to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.” May each follower of Christ contemplate the Truth and preach it to others in word and example.
Saint Dominic, Preacher of the Gospel, pray for us!
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