I see the Martha and Mary story as a recapitulation of the bitterness and sweetness of Marah and Elim. Drinking from the Tree of Life makes the bitter waters sweet which Mary has chosen at the feet of Christ in contrast to the bitterness of Martha. Interestingly, the meaning of both of their names find their origin in the Hebrew word for bitterness, mara. But, the name Mary in Egyptian means beloved.
The moral- the presence of God helps nourish us and sweetens the bitter waters of life.
"What's in the way IS the way," says Mary O'Malley. Thank you for your sensitive heart for that which is currently in your way and difficult. In the process the deep, wise way opens up. Through you, also for us.
Thank you Almut. Kathy and I had this lesson about Mary and Martha from the Gospel of Luke read at our wedding. We too shift and struggle and move between these archetypes of Mary and Martha in our own lives and in our life together. Thanks for your interpretation of this tension between “ora et labora”. Chris
Holding you in my prayers during this tender time, Friend. Thank you for sharing what is happening in your “swirl of service” so that we can support you as you & your family have supported all of us so much.
Because I have a wonderful older sister, I was fortunate to grow up commiserating with Mary while my sister experienced more pressures of Martha. Watching her beautifully integrate the two Parts in her adult life has been a blessing to countless people. Meanwhile, my own sense of inadequacy/ inferiority complex in a Martha world was not always pretty. Surrounded by many successful Marthas who also appreciate Mary as my sister, sisters-law, and best friends do, I’ve often retreated more into Mary, merely affirming Martha, studying her, teaching her tradition to students who are unaware of so much Church history. It can be paralyzing, frustrating, but also fulfilling for Mary to be suddenly called upon to be Martha.
Martha, like Mary, can be so context-specific, and as you are walking this hard road full of surprising challenges & beatitudes entwined, Mary seems to be helping you heal Martha, an important chiasmus or full circle of healing for the healers.
Praying for strength, energy, sense of balance, discernment, comfort, glimmers, and reminders of joy in these coming days.
Carol, what wonderful and deep words! I resonate with all of them. Especially: „It can be paralyzing, frustrating, but also fulfilling for Mary to be suddenly called upon to be Martha.“ It’s kind of my home coming confusion in a sentence.
I am glad about your insight that Mary helps to heal the healers. That makes a lot of sense. Bless you for sharing your wisdom here 🙏
I come from a long line of Martha’s and am grateful for their examples and call upon their wisdom. As I come up my 74th birthday, I realize that I have lived longer than all of them. My life is so much more “comfortable “ than theirs ever was. I have the privilege of time to myself, for reading , quiet prayer , meditation, relaxation. I’m thinking now that I want to gather them, invite them, these hard working women a share this blessing with them.
“She was simply buried under a schedule of new tasks” - that had been my fate for the past 14 months - ever since my husband had a stroke, and then three more. He was always more the caretaker, cook, grocery shopper. I do not make a good Martha! Thank you for this piece it has me musing. Substack gives me some Mary moments, as does Sunday service, and a few other regular activities.
It is so good to read your deep reflections again, even if they are born out of hardship. Praying for you and your family now as you navigate this journey.
I am very much a Martha, who tries to lean into my Mary side. And actually, new research shows Mary and Martha might be one in the same. Did you see this sermon last year based on that? I find it revolutionary in lots of ways! https://dianabutlerbass.substack.com/p/mary-the-tower
thank you, dear friend. I think I am getting so worked up as I am rather a Mary. Getting into the Martha role at my home of origin feels a bit like getting stuck. I love the image of Mary the tower. I think without that tower I am getting lost quickly. So I will start climbing again :-) Love always!
Christine, A fascinating and even revolutionary thought. That Mary Magdala, might be Mary the Tower. I would encourage folks to read this. And, as Butler-Bass says, it still leaves us with a helpful story about the active and contemplative life. Thanks for posting this.
My heart goes out to you. Like many others, I watched my mother descend into dementia. You learn to find moments like your walk in the woods, to come back to yourself. We are all Mary and Martha.❤️
Oh, Almut, reading the complexity and heartbreak of your Mother's decent into a world that is not here, the immediate collapse of your father into illness because he could let go, at least for a while, and your taking up the mantle of Martha was overwhelming. It made me cry.
Martha is a doer and she is overwhelming. Isn't she? I sense with you and in so many instances in my life that Martha is, (was) determined to bring some order to chaos. The chaos does not have be the hair on fire type. It can be the continual rocking of a ship unmoored. You have to jump up and grab the plates before they slide to the floor. I myself have paid a price for Martha always being in charge, why, I never knew that Mary had space or a place. Only in the past few years have I even discovered Mary. At first it was like, "Who the hell are you?" Now Mary is revealing herself and expanding into my life.
Your beautiful gift today reminds me and reaffirms the necessity and the importance of Martha and the wisdom and centering of Mary in my life.
My prayers are with your Mother as she walks this most difficult road, with your father as he walks along side her, with you (and Chuck) in your support of your parents and the little one as she bears witness to the care of family and strengthens her bond with her grandparents.
Kathleen, thank you so much for such a beautiful response. I enjoyed each and every word of your writing. And thank you for making me smile reading your:
"Only in the past few years have I even discovered Mary. At first it was like, "Who the hell are you?" Now Mary is revealing herself and expanding into my life."
I am so glad to hear that Mary and you finally got to know each other :-)
I was raised to be a Martha as I was the oldest and expected to be a leader in caring for and about others. I embraced that role, but also was often fatigued and drained. Then I read "Being Home" by Gunilla Norris which provided growth and rest with her call for contemplation integrated in daily life.
This is exactly what I’ve been pondering after 7 long years during which I’ve lost myself and my health, as I long for days of self care and contemplation. I’m grateful for your story — I’m grateful for your prayer. xo♥️
Dear Lori, I am glad my words connected with your heart. You know, Martha's sacred care includes the care for ourselves, and our dear soul. We so often just do not see Martha in her sacred role or providing this to our very self.
I see the Martha and Mary story as a recapitulation of the bitterness and sweetness of Marah and Elim. Drinking from the Tree of Life makes the bitter waters sweet which Mary has chosen at the feet of Christ in contrast to the bitterness of Martha. Interestingly, the meaning of both of their names find their origin in the Hebrew word for bitterness, mara. But, the name Mary in Egyptian means beloved.
The moral- the presence of God helps nourish us and sweetens the bitter waters of life.
The flowers in your parents yard are so beautiful. I enjoy all your pictures; you are a great photographer. Thanks.
Oh, Thank you so much, Carol. I enjoy particularly your feedback about my photos. I am happy to hear you enjoy them :-) Blessings to MN!!
"What's in the way IS the way," says Mary O'Malley. Thank you for your sensitive heart for that which is currently in your way and difficult. In the process the deep, wise way opens up. Through you, also for us.
Bless you, George, for this lovely comment 🙏. What’s in the way us the way. Indeed!
Thank you Almut. Kathy and I had this lesson about Mary and Martha from the Gospel of Luke read at our wedding. We too shift and struggle and move between these archetypes of Mary and Martha in our own lives and in our life together. Thanks for your interpretation of this tension between “ora et labora”. Chris
That is quite a read for a wedding, chris! I guess when the two images start to complement each other we have figured it out 😇
Holding you in my prayers during this tender time, Friend. Thank you for sharing what is happening in your “swirl of service” so that we can support you as you & your family have supported all of us so much.
Because I have a wonderful older sister, I was fortunate to grow up commiserating with Mary while my sister experienced more pressures of Martha. Watching her beautifully integrate the two Parts in her adult life has been a blessing to countless people. Meanwhile, my own sense of inadequacy/ inferiority complex in a Martha world was not always pretty. Surrounded by many successful Marthas who also appreciate Mary as my sister, sisters-law, and best friends do, I’ve often retreated more into Mary, merely affirming Martha, studying her, teaching her tradition to students who are unaware of so much Church history. It can be paralyzing, frustrating, but also fulfilling for Mary to be suddenly called upon to be Martha.
Martha, like Mary, can be so context-specific, and as you are walking this hard road full of surprising challenges & beatitudes entwined, Mary seems to be helping you heal Martha, an important chiasmus or full circle of healing for the healers.
Praying for strength, energy, sense of balance, discernment, comfort, glimmers, and reminders of joy in these coming days.
Great Love to you from Homewood, Alabama.
Carol, what wonderful and deep words! I resonate with all of them. Especially: „It can be paralyzing, frustrating, but also fulfilling for Mary to be suddenly called upon to be Martha.“ It’s kind of my home coming confusion in a sentence.
I am glad about your insight that Mary helps to heal the healers. That makes a lot of sense. Bless you for sharing your wisdom here 🙏
I come from a long line of Martha’s and am grateful for their examples and call upon their wisdom. As I come up my 74th birthday, I realize that I have lived longer than all of them. My life is so much more “comfortable “ than theirs ever was. I have the privilege of time to myself, for reading , quiet prayer , meditation, relaxation. I’m thinking now that I want to gather them, invite them, these hard working women a share this blessing with them.
Beautiful image, Sue, to invite the women who walked before us and celebrate both, Martha and Mary with-in.
PS. And we can learn together to embrace our “Mary”.
“She was simply buried under a schedule of new tasks” - that had been my fate for the past 14 months - ever since my husband had a stroke, and then three more. He was always more the caretaker, cook, grocery shopper. I do not make a good Martha! Thank you for this piece it has me musing. Substack gives me some Mary moments, as does Sunday service, and a few other regular activities.
💝
Thank you Almut, I needed this in my current life circumstances. 🧡
You are very welcome, dear one.
It is so good to read your deep reflections again, even if they are born out of hardship. Praying for you and your family now as you navigate this journey.
I am very much a Martha, who tries to lean into my Mary side. And actually, new research shows Mary and Martha might be one in the same. Did you see this sermon last year based on that? I find it revolutionary in lots of ways! https://dianabutlerbass.substack.com/p/mary-the-tower
thank you, dear friend. I think I am getting so worked up as I am rather a Mary. Getting into the Martha role at my home of origin feels a bit like getting stuck. I love the image of Mary the tower. I think without that tower I am getting lost quickly. So I will start climbing again :-) Love always!
Christine, A fascinating and even revolutionary thought. That Mary Magdala, might be Mary the Tower. I would encourage folks to read this. And, as Butler-Bass says, it still leaves us with a helpful story about the active and contemplative life. Thanks for posting this.
My heart goes out to you. Like many others, I watched my mother descend into dementia. You learn to find moments like your walk in the woods, to come back to yourself. We are all Mary and Martha.❤️
Thank you so much, Kathleen, for your kind words 🙏
Oh, Almut, reading the complexity and heartbreak of your Mother's decent into a world that is not here, the immediate collapse of your father into illness because he could let go, at least for a while, and your taking up the mantle of Martha was overwhelming. It made me cry.
Martha is a doer and she is overwhelming. Isn't she? I sense with you and in so many instances in my life that Martha is, (was) determined to bring some order to chaos. The chaos does not have be the hair on fire type. It can be the continual rocking of a ship unmoored. You have to jump up and grab the plates before they slide to the floor. I myself have paid a price for Martha always being in charge, why, I never knew that Mary had space or a place. Only in the past few years have I even discovered Mary. At first it was like, "Who the hell are you?" Now Mary is revealing herself and expanding into my life.
Your beautiful gift today reminds me and reaffirms the necessity and the importance of Martha and the wisdom and centering of Mary in my life.
My prayers are with your Mother as she walks this most difficult road, with your father as he walks along side her, with you (and Chuck) in your support of your parents and the little one as she bears witness to the care of family and strengthens her bond with her grandparents.
Kathleen, thank you so much for such a beautiful response. I enjoyed each and every word of your writing. And thank you for making me smile reading your:
"Only in the past few years have I even discovered Mary. At first it was like, "Who the hell are you?" Now Mary is revealing herself and expanding into my life."
I am so glad to hear that Mary and you finally got to know each other :-)
Many blessings in this time. I hope Mary and Martha find their balance in you.
And blessings to you. Writing this piece has helped with the balance already :-)
I was raised to be a Martha as I was the oldest and expected to be a leader in caring for and about others. I embraced that role, but also was often fatigued and drained. Then I read "Being Home" by Gunilla Norris which provided growth and rest with her call for contemplation integrated in daily life.
June, what a beautiful example of the needed integration of both. Bless you for sharing your experience with us!
Thank you for the reminder that all the Martha's need Mary moments. Reconnecting and healing.
you are so welcome, Adele, I needed the reminder the most 😇
This is exactly what I’ve been pondering after 7 long years during which I’ve lost myself and my health, as I long for days of self care and contemplation. I’m grateful for your story — I’m grateful for your prayer. xo♥️
Dear Lori, I am glad my words connected with your heart. You know, Martha's sacred care includes the care for ourselves, and our dear soul. We so often just do not see Martha in her sacred role or providing this to our very self.