The Lord in the House of Martha and Mary.

(Luke 10:38-42).

Apparently, a “certain village” that the Lord entered was Bethany — a settlement situated on one of the slopes of the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. The two women that met the Lord, Martha and Mary, were easily recognizable as sisters of Lazarus, loved by the Lord and whose resurrection is narrated by Saint John in the 11^th chapter. Both of them appear here with the same qualities as described by Saint John: Martha was notable for her active and lively character, Mary — quiet and deep sensitivity. Having received the Lord, Martha began to fuss over the preparation of food, while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to Him. Realizing that it was difficult to cope on her own, Martha turned to the Lord — as though with reproval, which showed the friendly regard the Lord held toward the family: “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” Justifying Mary’s action, the Lord responds to Martha with the same friendly rebuke: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

The meaning of this rebuke is that Martha’s efforts are directed at a transitory fuss, which can be done without, while Mary chose that, which is completely needed by a human being — attentiveness to the Divine teachings of Christ and to follow them. What Mary is acquiring by listening to the Lord, will never be taken away from her. This segment of the Gospel is always read during every Liturgy that commemorates the Mother of God, because the figure of Mary appears as a symbol of Blessed Virgin Mary, Who too had “chosen that good part.” This segment is coupled with the verses 11:27-28, where the Mother of God is glorified directly, and exalted anew because She did “hear the word of God and do it.”