July 19, 1998
Which
is Better? The Way of Mary
or the Way of Martha?
Today’s thought is from an anonymous Desert Father who
was questioned about whether it is better to live the solitary life of contemplation and
poverty or to devote one’s life to helping others and providing material support to
the needy. His answer goes to the heart of the debate whether it is better to follow the
way of Mary or that of Martha.
BEGIN TEXT: The brethren said, "There were two brothers who were the sons of a
merchant and their father died and they divided their inheritance between themselves. Unto
each one, there came five thousand dinars. One of the brothers divided his inheritance
among the churches, and the monasteries, and the poor, and he himself became a monk, and
he chose for himself a life of continual silence, and fasting, and prayer. Now the other
one built a monastery for himself, and gathered brethren to him, and he took care of the
strangers, and the poor, and the sick, whom he received and relieved.
"When the two brothers were dead, there was questioning among the brethren about
them, and they went to Abba Pambo and asked him, ‘Which manner of life and conduct
was the more excellent and exalted?’ And having learned from God, he said unto them,
‘They were both perfect, and in my sight they appear to be of equal merit.’
Explain to us now the old man’s words, for how can the man who is destitute, and the
man who hath possessions be equal in merit?’ The old man said, ‘Since the whole
conduct of these brethren was to God, and since whatsoever they did they did it for God,
with an upright aim, and since the aim of each was the same, they appeared to be in the
old man’s opinion of equal merit before God.’" END.
from "The Paradise of the Holy Fathers," trans. by E. A. Wallis Budge,
(Seattle: St. Nectarios Press, 1984), p. 283
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