July 29: A SERMON FROM SAINT BERNARD ON SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS.
From the sermons of Saint Bernard, Abbot
(Sermo 3 in Assumptione beatæ Mariæ Virginis, 4. 5: PL 183, 423. 424)
In our home the law of love is ordered in three ways
Let us consider, brothers, how here in our home the ordering of love assigns these three things: service to Martha, contemplation to Mary, penance to Lazarus. The soul that possesses all these at the same time is complete; however, each of them seems to pertain more to distinct individuals, so that some are free for holy contemplation, others give themselves to fraternal service, while still others ponder their years in the bitterness of their soul, like wounded individuals sleeping in graves. It is therefore plainly necessary that Mary think devoutly and sublimely about her God, Martha kindly and mercifully about her neighbor, Lazarus sadly and humbly about himself.
Let each one consider where he stands. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in this city, they could only save themselves by their righteousness, says the Lord, they could save neither son nor daughter (Ezekiel 14:14-16). We delude no one; would that none of you fool yourself! Indeed, for those to whom no stewardship has been entrusted, no particular service assigned, you will be placed either with Mary at the feet of Jesus or with Lazarus securely within the walls of his tomb. Why should Martha, who was anxious about many people, not be concerned about many things? But to you who are under no pressure from this need, one of two things is necessary: either not to be anxious at all, but to delight rather in the Lord; or, if you are not yet able to do this, do not be anxious about many things, but, as the prophet says of himself, be anxious for yourself.
It is necessary, however, that Martha herself also be warned, for there will be a thorough search among stewards to see if any are found faithful. She will indeed be faithful who, with a pure intention, seeks not her own things but the things of Jesus Christ; nor does her own will, but the Lord’s, so that her action is well ordered. For there are some whose eye is not single, and they receive their reward. There are others who are carried on the impulses of their emotions, and all the things that they offer have been tainted because in them are displayed their own wills.
Come with me now to the wedding song of Solomon. Let us consider how the groom, when he calls the bride, neither omits nor adds to any of these three things. Arise, he says, come quickly, my friend, my fair one, my dove, and come (Song of Songs 2:13-14). Is this friend not she who, intent upon the riches of the Lord, faithfully disposes also her very soul for his sake? For whenever she sets aside a spiritual exercise for the sake of one of the least of his, she spiritually lays down her life for him. Is she not fair who with unveiled face, by gazing upon the glory of the Lord, is transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord? Surely the dove that sighs and moans in the clefts of the rock, in the hollows of the wall, is also buried beneath a stone?
Let us pray.
O God, whose Son
called Lazarus back to life from the grave
and was pleased to be a guest in the home of Martha,
grant us, we pray,
that, faithfully serving him in our brothers and sisters,
we, with Mary, may be found worthy to be nourished
by the contemplation of his word.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
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Thanks and God bless you and your loved ones! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.
