Sermon LIV.
[CIV. Ben.]
Again, on the words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, etc., about Martha and Mary.
1. When the holy Gospel was being read, we heard that the Lord was received by a reli-
gious woman into her house, and her name was Martha. And while she was occupied in the
care of serving, her sister Mary was sitting at the Lord’s Feet, and hearing His Word. The
one was busy, the other was still; one was giving out, the other was being filled. Yet Martha,
all busy as she was in that occupation and toil of serving, appealed to the Lord, and com-
plained of her sister, that she did not help her in her labour. But the Lord answered Martha
for Mary; and He became her Advocate, who had been appealed to as Judge. “Martha,” He
saith, “thou art occupied about many things, when one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen
the better part, which shall not be taken from her.”3330 For we have heard both the appeal
of the appellant, and the sentence of the Judge. Which sentence answered the appellant,
defended the other’s cause. For Mary was intent on the sweetness of the Lord’s word. Martha
was intent, how she might feed the Lord; Mary intent how she might be fed by the Lord. By
Martha a feast was being prepared for the Lord, in whose feast Mary was even now delighting
herself. As Mary then was listening with sweet pleasure to His most sweet word, and was
feeding with the most earnest affection, when the Lord was appealed to by her sister, how,
think we, did she fear, lest the Lord should say to her, “Rise and help thy sister”? For by a
wondrous sweetness was she held; a sweetness of the mind which is doubtless greater than
that of the senses.3331 She was excused, she sat in greater confidence. And how excused?
Let us consider, examine, investigate it thoroughly as we can, that we may be fed also.
2. For what, do we imagine that Martha’s serving was blamed, whom the cares of hos-
pitality had engaged, who had received the Lord Himself into her house? How could she be
rightly blamed, who was gladdened by so great a guest? If this be true, let men give over
their ministrations to the needy; let them choose for themselves “the better part, which shall
not be taken from” them; let them give themselves3332 wholly to the word, let them long
after the sweetness of doctrine; be occupied about the saving knowledge; let it be no care to
them, what stranger is in the street, who there is that wants bread, or clothing, or to be visited,
to be redeemed, to be buried; let works of mercy cease, earnest heed be given to knowledge
only. If this be “the better part,” why do not all do this, when we have the Lord Himself for
our defender in this behalf? For we do not fear in this matter, lest we should offend His
justice, when we have the support of His judgment.
3330 Luke x. 41, 42.
3331 Ventris.
3332 Vacent.
Again, on the words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, etc., about Martha and Mary.
895
Again, on the words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, etc., about Martha and M…