Martha Served; Mary Anointed
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Isaiah 49:1-4
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:1-3
Piety
“The Donkey” by G. K. Chesterton
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Study
Today, we start our readings with one of the four “Servant Songs” from Isaiah.
They depict a servant of the Lord, wholly dedicated to the Lord, and pleasing to him, who will bring true justice to Israel and to the nations, and will suffer hideously and die in the Lord’s service, and will eventually be justified. Is the prophet speaking of himself, of the nation of Israel or of some particular individual among Israel? Whatever the original meaning, Christian tradition has applied these songs to Jesus and his mission. not without good reason, for the Voice from heaven to Jesus at the Baptism is at least alluding to Jesus with this opening of the first song, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights.”[i]
After this introduction about service and servants, we hear in the Gospel of the dinner held in honor of Jesus and Lazarus in Bethany. Martha plays out the servant. Although this time, she did so quietly. No more do we encounter the complaining Martha who wanted Mary to hop to service. Because this time, Mary is in service to the Lord as well.
This time, Martha knew Mary had chosen the better part. Mary took oil to anoint the feet of Jesus foreshadowing an act that will be repeated at the Passover Seder which becomes the Holy Thursday Last Supper.
Martha and Mary chose the best parts in their “far fierce hour.”
Action
How can we show our friendship with Jesus in the manner in which we treat others?
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