One day the Lord Jesus went to Bethany, to the house of Martha and Mary, who loved him with all their heart, and received Him with all reverence and with great joy. Martha, the sister of Mary, for her part, was occupied in preparing a banquet as honourable as possible, for our Lord and His disciples. But Mary sat at the feet of our Lord. And when our Lord, who could never be idle, spake to her, as His manner was, the words of eternal life, she, with eyes and ears intent upon Him, was delighted with His conversation beyond expression ; neither thought she of anything else. Martha, then, was pained at her seeming want of consideration, and bade our Lord compel her to take part in the preparations with which she was herself so much occupied. But our Lord was not of her opinion, and was told that Mary had chosen the best part Now Mary, who had been absorbed in her Lord’s words, awoke, as it were, to a sense of her sister’s vexation, like one startled out of sleep, and turning her face towards the ground, remained silent But after our Lord’s reply to Martha, Mary rested more securely and more sweetly than ever.
Then, the repast being ready, and our Lord ceasing to speak, she arose at once, and brought Him water for His hands, and henceforth sitting near Him, served Him most attentively. Behold, then, our Lord entering the house, see with what intense joy they receive Him ; and dwell, as we have before prescribed, upon every act, for every feature of this event is most beautiful.
You must know, that these two sisters represent the Active and Contemplative Life. This is a subject which must be dealt with at some length, but I will be as brief as possible, and take S. Bernard throughout for my guide. We live a double kind of life, and often we know not how to do so. The Active Life is signified by Martha. But in this life there are two parts. The first part is that in which each one lives chiefly for his own good, correcting his vices, putting on virtues, and benefiting his neighbour, by works of justice, piety, and charity. The second part is that in which a man exerts himself chiefly for the benefit of his neighbour, all the while, of course, also benefiting his own soul ; for example, in guiding others, teaching and helping them, thus procuring their salvation, as Bishops, Preachers, etc., do.
Now, between the two parts of the Active Life, lies the Contemplative, and this is the order. At first, a soul exercises itself in prayer, the study of Holy Scripture, and other good and pious works, in order to uproot vices and acquire virtues. Secondly, it reposes in contemplation, in seeking solitude, and in giving itself individually to waiting upon God. Thirdly, when once embued by the two preceding exercises, with virtue and wisdom, it proceeds to give itself to the work of saving others. It must first be, as I have shown in the first part of the Active Life, that the soul must be washed, cleansed, and strengthened in the exercise of virtues ; then, in the Contemplative Life, it must be formed, enlightened, and enkindled ; and then, finally, it can give itself with confidence to the service and aid of others.
We will now proceed with the authorities for this order ; and first point out how the Active Life ought to precede the Contemplative.