Gospel in Art: Martha works, Mary listens

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Hendryk Siemiradzki, 1886 © The Russian Museum, St Petersburg

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 29 July 2023
Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered: 'Martha, Martha,' he said 'you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. On 26 January 2021 Pope Francis, in order stress the importance of the family spirit of the home in Bethany where Jesus loved to stay, established this memorial, replacing the previous memorial of Saint Martha.

Our late 19th century painting by Polish Rome-based painter Hendryk Siemiradzki, depicts Jesus at their home. The play of light in this painting is truly exquisite: look at the shadows on the stone surfaces, the light and shadow on Christ's cloak and on the skilfully painted carpet at the front. Light is not just important in painterly compositions, but also in our approach to reading the Gospels. We often need to read some of these familiar stories in a new light, with a fresh approach. We are probably all familiar with this story of Mary and Martha: Jesus visits them, Mary sits at his feet to listen to Him, while Martha does all the work serving, Martha complains to Jesus and then Jesus tells her that Mary has chosen 'the better part'… When reading this passage we ask ourselves who we are in this story? Are you Martha, busy and anxious about many things, or are you Mary, sitting and listening to the Master? Truth is that we have a touch of both in us.

Neither sister is wrong in what they are doing. Both are good people. Serving other people is a very noble, Christian way of life; spending time with Our Lord listening to what He has to say to us, is equally important and necessary. In our culture of hectic schedules and busy working lives, we are tempted however to measure our worth by how busy we are and by how much we accomplish. Like Martha, It is probably true that much of our business stems from the noblest of intentions. Yet if all our activities leave us with no time to be quiet and peaceful in the Lord's presence and hear God's word, we are likely to end up anxious and restless…

As regards to our relationship with Jesus, there is a time to be active on his behalf, and a time to be quiet and listen to his word. Both are important. We need to be attentive to both the Word of the Lord and the Work of the Lord!

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-10-38-42-2023/