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Bonaventure’s Commentary on Luke’s Gospel Thirty Days of Reflection and Prayer 34 Day Fourteen: Read and meditate on Luke 10:38-42 Luke 10:42: “Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.” Bonaventure tells us: The contemplative life, seen by itself and represented by Mary, is highly desirable, because it is better and to be preferred on its own merits. For it is more secure, more pleasant, and more stable. Nevertheless, the active life, represented by Martha, is not to be despised, and should occasionally be preferred, depending on place and time, because it precedes contemplation, is more painful, and more fruitful. It is useful for the one engaged in it and for others. … Thus, the spouse compels his bride sometimes to go out to action, according to what is said in The Song of Songs 2:14-15: “Let your voice sound in my ears … catch the foxes that damage the vineyard.” So if it becomes a question of what is better, contemplative life is better viewed simply by itself, according to what Gregory says in Book VI of his Moralia: “Great are the merits of the active life, but the merits of the contemplative life are greater.” The reason lies in Christ’s words: “Mary has chosen the better part which will not be taken away from her.” But if it becomes a question of what should be chosen, the active life is occasionally to be chosen. This is the case with the imperfect man who must first exercise himself in the field of the active life or when someone is obligated to engage in the works of the active life because of precept or by office. So at times a doubt can arise as to which is to be preferred, according to what Philippians 1:21-24 has: “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh is my lot, this means for me fruitful labor. And I do not know what to choose. Indeed I am hard pressed from both sides, desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better. Yet to stay in the flesh is necessary for your sake.” Thus, it is 35 necessary for spiritual men sometimes to go out, sometimes to come in, sometimes to ascend, sometimes to descend. Reflection In Roman Catholic circles active individuals are sometimes chided as being a Martha, that is, they should be less active and more contemplative. Bonaventure’s approach to this entire question of the contemplative life vis-à-vis the active life is very balanced. What lessons might be learned from this story? Martha and Mary are models of hospitality and show how Christian missionary preachers are to be received. They also exemplify how to implement teaching of the parable of the Good Samaritan as they come to the needs of traveler Jesus. Their story also clearly reveals that Jesus, unlike other teachers of his time and Luke’s time, had women disciples. They sat at his feet and listened to his teaching. Thumb back in your New Testament to Luke 8:1-3 and note the key role the holy female trio of Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Susanna play as disciples who minister to Jesus. They are also present at Jesus’ crucifixion when there is no trace of a male disciple. They are also the first recipients and proclaimers of the Easter message: “He is not here. He has been raised.” Among those waiting for the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost were “some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.” Starting at least with El Greco, artists have portrayed Pentecost with Jesus’ Mother in the center surrounded by male and female disciples. Prayer Creator God, help me to be a disciple whose life has a wholesome balance of action and contemplation. Help me to realize again and again that your Son is an all-inclusive Savior who calls both men and women to discipleship and ministry. ...

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