St. Mary and St. Martha of Bethany

Our Lord’s words teach us that though we labor among the many distractions of this world, we should have but one goal. For we are but travelers on a journey without as yet a fixed abode; we are on our way, not yet in our native land; we are in a state of longing, not yet of enjoyment. But let us continue on our way, and continue without sloth or respite, so that we may ultimately arrive at our destination.

Martha and Mary were sisters, related not only by blood but also by religious aspirations. They stayed close to our Lord and both served him harmoniously when he was among them. Martha welcomed him as travelers are welcomed. But in her case, the maidservant received her Lord, the invalid her Savior, the creature her Creator, to serve him bodily food while she was to be fed by the Spirit. For the Lord willed to put on the form of a slave, and under this form to be fed by his own servants, out of condescension and not out of need. For this was indeed condescension, to present himself to be fed; since he was in the flesh he would indeed be hungry and thirsty.

Thus was the Lord received as a guest who came unto his own and his own received him not; but as many as received him, he gave them the power to become sons of God, adopting those who were servants and making them his brothers, ransoming the captives and making them his co-heirs. No one of you should say: “Blessed are they who have deserved to receive Christ into their homes!” Do not grieve or complain that you were born in a time when you can no longer see God in the flesh. He did not in fact take this privilege from you. As he says, “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Upcoming (0)

Sorry, there are no upcoming events

Past (7)

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena primary image

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena

Sat, Sep 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral primary image

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral

Fri, Jun 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker primary image

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker

Fri, May 2 • 6:30 PM

Free

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit primary image

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Sat, Apr 12 • 9:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena primary image

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena

Sat, Sep 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral primary image

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral

Fri, Jun 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker primary image

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker

Fri, May 2 • 6:30 PM

Free

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit primary image

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Sat, Apr 12 • 9:00 AM

Free

Our Lord’s words teach us that though we labor among the many distractions of this world, we should have but one goal. For we are but travelers on a journey without as yet a fixed abode; we are on our way, not yet in our native land; we are in a state of longing, not yet of enjoyment. But let us continue on our way, and continue without sloth or respite, so that we may ultimately arrive at our destination.

Martha and Mary were sisters, related not only by blood but also by religious aspirations. They stayed close to our Lord and both served him harmoniously when he was among them. Martha welcomed him as travelers are welcomed. But in her case, the maidservant received her Lord, the invalid her Savior, the creature her Creator, to serve him bodily food while she was to be fed by the Spirit. For the Lord willed to put on the form of a slave, and under this form to be fed by his own servants, out of condescension and not out of need. For this was indeed condescension, to present himself to be fed; since he was in the flesh he would indeed be hungry and thirsty.

Thus was the Lord received as a guest who came unto his own and his own received him not; but as many as received him, he gave them the power to become sons of God, adopting those who were servants and making them his brothers, ransoming the captives and making them his co-heirs. No one of you should say: “Blessed are they who have deserved to receive Christ into their homes!” Do not grieve or complain that you were born in a time when you can no longer see God in the flesh. He did not in fact take this privilege from you. As he says, “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events
Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena primary image

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena

Sat, Sep 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral primary image

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral

Fri, Jun 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker primary image

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker

Fri, May 2 • 6:30 PM

Free

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit primary image

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Sat, Apr 12 • 9:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena primary image

Pilgrimage to the convent of St. Helena

Sat, Sep 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral primary image

Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral

Fri, Jun 20 • 7:00 AM

Free

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker primary image

The Henry C. Potter Theology and Culture Series: Diagonal Advance: Christ and Culture with Dr. Anthony Baker

Fri, May 2 • 6:30 PM

Free

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit primary image

Pilgrimage to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Sat, Apr 12 • 9:00 AM

Free