{"id":2082,"date":"2019-07-20T17:56:36","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T15:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jp2doc.pl\/en\/?p=2082"},"modified":"2019-07-20T17:56:36","modified_gmt":"2019-07-20T15:56:36","slug":"the-sons-of-martha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jp2doc.pl\/en\/2019\/07\/20\/the-sons-of-martha\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sons of Martha"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a poem by Rudyard Kipling called \u201cThe Sons of Martha\u201d, which refers to the events in today\u2019s gospel. Rather than take today\u2019s gospel at face value, the poem turns the meaning of the gospel on its head. The poem is clever – and distinctively modern – and fails to penetrate the actually meaning of the gospel.<\/p>\n

The basic meaning of the poem is this: Mary was a blessed woman and was able to sit at Jesus\u2019 feet contemplating his goodness. Martha, on the other hand, was burdened with many toils. Martha\u2019s toils, however, are necessary in order to allow for Mary\u2019s contemplation. In other words, Mary\u2019s contemplation is contingent on Martha\u2019s toilsome labour. The sons of Martha, then, are the engineers and mechanics of the world who ensure that the world continues to turn as the Sons of Mary contemplate the goodness of our Lord. The final stanza of the poem aptly summarizes this thought:<\/p>\n

And the Sons of Mary smile and are bless\u00e8d – they know the angels are on their side.<\/p>\n

They know in them is the Grace confess\u00e8d, and for them are the Mercies multiplied.<\/p>\n

They sit at the Feet – they hear the Word – they see how truly the Promise runs.<\/p>\n

They have cast their burden upon the Lord, and – the Lord He lays it on Martha’s Sons !<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The poem is clever – and as with all clever poems, it contains an element of truth. However, the poem fails to understand a basic principle of human existence: namely that the things of the spirit are more important than the things of the body. Yes, as humans we need to eat; we need shelter; we need clothing. However, while these things are necessary, they are also secondary. Despite needing these things, the basic truth remains; it is more important to pray than to eat. If you do not eat, you will die – but if you do not pray, you will be damned, which in the final analysis is a far more terrifying prospect.<\/p>\n

In this sense, when contrasted with Martha\u2019s work, Mary\u2019s contemplation is not simply the \u201cbetter\u201d part – as though work is the meat and potatoes of existence while contemplation is the (optional) dessert. No. Rather, prayer is the underlying condition that makes work possible. Without prayer, work becomes slavery. Prayer is of primary importance and gives meaning to any subsequent work. It is not, as Rudyard Kipling would have it, that the Sons of Martha toil so that the Sons of Mary might pray. Rather, the Sons of Mary pray so that the Sons of Martha might not toil in vain.<\/p>\n

Ian Mahood<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta<\/p>\n

Fot. Artem Beliaikin\/Unsplash.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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