Mary and Martha lived with their brother Lazarus at Bethany, a village
not far from Jerusalem. They are mentioned in several episodes in the
Gospels. On one occasion, when Jesus and His disciples were their guests
(Luke 10:38-42), Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him while her
sister Martha busied herself with preparing food and waiting on the
guests, and when Martha complained, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the
better part. When Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had died,
Jesus came to Bethany. Martha, upon being told that He was approaching,
went out to meet Him, while Mary sat still in the house until He sent for
her. It was to Martha that Jesus said: "I am the Resurrection and the
Life." (John 11:1-44) Again, about a week before the crucifixion, as
Jesus reclined at table, Mary poured a flask of expensive perfume over
Jesus' feet. Mary was criticized for wasting what might have been sold to
raise money for the poor, and again Jesus spoke on her behalf. (John
12:1-8)
On the basis of these incidents, many Christian writers have seen Mary as representing Contemplation (prayer and devotion), and Martha as representing Action (good works, helping others); or love of God and love of neighbor respectively.
They see the same symbolism also in Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban (Genesis 29 and 35). Leah was dim of sight, but had many children. Rachel had few children, but one of them saved the whole family from destruction. Leah represents Action, which is near-sighted and cannot penetrate very far into the mysteries of God, but it produces many worth-while results. Contemplation has fewer results, but one of those results is Faith, without which it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6) Yet, there is a sense in which Action comes first -- "If a man love not his brother, whom he hath seen, how shall he love God, whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20) So it is that Leah must be wed before Rachel.
On some Calendars, Lazarus is remembered on 17 December.
O God, heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ enjoyed rest and Refreshment in the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany: Give us the will to love thee, open our hearts to hear thee, and strengthen our hands to serve thee in others for his sake; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and for ever.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son blessed by his Presence the home of Lazarus and Mary and Martha in Bethany: grant that, like Martha, we may serve Christ faithfully in the person of our brothers and sisters; and that, like Mary, we may feed on his Word and grow in his love and grace; and that, like Lazarus, we may be brought forth from death to new life in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
O God, heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ enjoyed rest and Refreshment in the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany: Give us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for his sake; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son blessed by his Presence the home of Lazarus and Mary and Martha in Bethany: grant that, like Martha, we may serve Christ faithfully in the person of our brothers and sisters; and that, like Mary, we may feed on his Word and grow in his love and grace; and that, like Lazarus, we may be brought forth from death to new life in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Psalm 35:5-10 or 33:1-5,20-21
Romans 12:9-13
Luke 10:38-42 (Ep)