Tuesday, July 29, 2008



Feast


of


St. Martha








Don’t be too easily convinced that God really wants you to do all sorts of work you needn’t do. Each must do his duty “in that state of life to which God has called him.” Remember that a belief in the virtues of doing for doing’s sake is characteristically feminine, characteristically American, and characteristically modern: so that three veils may divide you from the correct view! There can be intemperance in work just as in drink. What feels like zeal may be only fidgets or even the flattering of one’s self importance...By doing what “one’s station and its duties” does not demand, one can make oneself less fit for the duties it does demand and so commit some injustice. Just you give Mary a little chance as well as Martha.

C. S. Lewis
Letters to an American Lady

6 comments:

irene said...

Very appropriate to the 12 steps. Another addiction, perhaps even more prevelant than alcoholism.

Anonymous said...

My husband is my Martha. I am blessed--very blessed.

Faith

uncle jim said...

FEAST ...

I am sending you one of my favorite female friends in the whole world ... she has been a great worker in our parish for many years and is now moving 'home' to be with her almost 90 year old mother.

She has accepted a position at Post Falls Middle School and will be living in an apt, in Liberty Lake WA. Please take good care of her.
- - - - - - - - - -
(part of her e-mail to me) I have accepted a position of librarian at Post Falls Middle School for next school year (and beyond if that age doesn't drive me crazier than I already am).

This move was precipitated by the health of my almost-90-year-old mother. She has been living in a retirement home for years and has done really well -- especially since there were no children close by to help out. The time has come that, while still living on her own, there are a lot of times she needs things that she cannot do anymore. Thus, my move.

Post Falls is in the Idaho panhandle and right on the border with Washington. I will be living in an apt. in Liberty Lake, Wa.
- - - - - - - - - -

She is a very sharp, bright, holy, witty, bubbly, hard-working lady - she will truly be missed here.

Adrienne said...

Irene - I waaaaay lean toward the Martha.

Faith - I want a Martha (otherwise known as a wife:)

Uncle Jim - make sure your friend emails me. Post Falls Middle School is not far from me. Liberty Lake is lovely and she will like it there.

We'll do our best to make her welcome....

What a small world we live in...

Rita said...

Great post and one of my favourite paintings too! I like Vermeer's painting because it clearly shows Christ's love for Martha....I'm much more Mary than Martha (yup, my husband is Martha too).

Tracy said...

Great post and I love the new look:)