Article November 17, 1923 Issue

Martha and Mary

MARIE H. LACKEY

The story of Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus and friends of Jesus, contains many a helpful lesson. The record of these sisters, as given in the gospels of Luke and John, is one of the most interesting of the Bible narratives; but without Christian Science to interpret it, this story is likely to be one least understood.

In Luke we read of Martha's receiving Jesus in to her house, and of Mary, her sister, sitting listening at the feet of Jesus, and hearing his word. Martha is the housewife of the family, kind of heart and ever ministering to the human needs of others, but apparently perplexed,—"cumbered about much serving;" and she complains to Jesus of Mary's shortcomings. His loving answer to Martha's appeal that Mary should help her is of extraordinary significance: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Studied with the understanding Christian Science gives, Martha and Mary are seen to express certain states of thought. Martha, a type of human goodness, may be taken as one unenlightened by Christian Science; whereas Mary expresses that state of thought which sees the truth through Christian Science and is trying to embrace its teachings, sitting, as it were, at the feet of Jesus. The definition of "Jesus," as given by Mrs. Eddy on page 589 of "Science and Health with key to the Scriptures," is as follows: "The highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light man's immortality." Mary had caught a glimpse of this divine idea, which Martha did not then seem to see through her care-dimmed eyes.

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