Today commemorates Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany. Mary and Martha appear in three Gospel stories one about Jesus visiting their home where Martha serves (Luke 7:36-50), one in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44), and one in which Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (John 12:1-8). Lazarus appears in the later two stories, but is not mentioned in the first.

Most church-goers know the story of Martha serving the guests while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening to him. The two women are often taken as examples of two different approaches to being a Christian. The book “Growing Up Lutheran” humorously contrasts the Martha type (the doers) who organize the kitchen crew, make coffee, and set and clean tables with the Mary type (the listeners) who give devotions, serve coffee, and arrange the centerpieces.

I heard Father Thomas Keating give a different approach to the story. He suggested the characters represent different stages in spiritual development that everyone could pass through. Martha seems well-intentioned in serving people, but she is caught up in her own resentment of her sister not helping and of Jesus’ indifference to her plight. She needs to let go. Mary has moved on to the next stage where a person is enlightened by listening to the Lord. But what about Lazarus who never says anything? Lazarus is the final stage where a person is transformed to new life just by being satisfied with being in the divine presence without doing anything.

Where are you in your spiritual progress?

Read Luke 7:36-50  and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne