工作也是祈禱 Prayer Series: II

工作也是祈禱（路10:38-42）

雖然說「己欲立而立人，己欲達而達人」，自己好，也希望其他人好，是一種很積極，很正面的態度；但每個人秉性不同，適合我的，不一定適合你。瑪爾大和瑪利亞兩姊妹，就是很好的例子。兩姊妹以適合自己的方式，表達對主耶穌基督的愛，無高低之別。

可能是大家姐吧，習慣了獨力支撐整個家庭大大小小的事務，於是瑪爾大很忙碌地伺候耶穌（路10:40），表現出大家姐的風範。伯達尼不會是個富庶的村莊，我相信瑪利亞不會是驕生慣養，遊手好閒的閨女。但今天她卻坐在主的腳前，聽祂講話，默觀著救主的容光（10:39），這是何等上乘的默觀祈禱啊！可見瑪利亞的秉性與瑪爾大完全不同，前者默觀，後者行動。從復活拉匝祿的故事更可佐證：瑪爾大跑去迎接遲來的耶穌，而瑪利亞卻仍坐在家中，應該是熱切地祈禱吧！（若11:20）所以當瑪爾大向主耶穌投訴時，生命的主宰袒護了瑪利亞（路10:42）。

其實，說瑪爾大「投訴」，可能對她有點不公平。首先，瑪爾大不需要與瑪利亞爭寵，因為她伺候耶穌，並不是為了討好耶穌，而是盡了朋友的情誼（若11:5）。其次，作為一個行動型的人，瑪爾大可能覺得妹妹缺乏行動，對她沒有益處，所以趁主耶穌在場的時候，借耶穌之力，催迫妹妹做點她認為對妹妹有益的事！我相信瑪爾大是出於一片好意的。

耶穌基督的說話，是否認行動的好處，或者貶低行動的地位嗎？沒有！是中文翻譯誤導了大家！原文是「瑪利亞選擇了好的一份」，並不是「更好的一份」。默觀是對她有益，適合她的一份，正如行動對瑪爾大有益，適合她一樣。她的行動，就是她的祈禱，是另類的默觀，同樣「是不能從她奪去的！」
主耶穌，讓我們自由自在地，以適合我們秉性的方式，默觀祢光輝的聖容。亞孟。
生命恩泉
圖片鳴謝：stgregorynb.org

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Prayer Series: II (Luke 10:38-42)

Although we say, "If we want to establish, establish others. If we want to prosper, make others prosperous", meaning "when we are good, we want others to be good as well" and it is a very positive attitude because our temperances are different, what suits me may not suits you. Martha and Mary are good examples. The siblings expressed their love towards Lord Jesus Christ in ways appropriate to them. There should not be any comparison.

Probably being the elder sister who used to call the shot, Martha was "burdened with much serving" (Luke 10:40). I believe Bethany was not a rich village. Thus Mary would not be a spoiled "chamber-lady". Today, she "sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak", contemplating the countenance of the Saviour (10:39)! What a contemplative prayer of high calibra! It shows that Mary and Martha were essentially different, the former contemplative and the latter active. The story of resurrection of Lazarus sheds further light on it: "When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home" (John 11:20), most likely praying fervently! Thus, when Martha complained to Lord Jesus, the Author of Life defended Mary. (Luke 10:42)

In fact, speaking of Martha's "complaint" is probably unfair to her. First of all, Martha didn't need to fight for favouritism with Mary because she did not serve Jesus to please him. It was simply a matter of hospitality (John 11:5). Secondly, as a person of action, probably Martha opined that Mary's lack of activity was doing her no good. Therefore, she took advantage of the presence of Jesus to push Mary to do something which she thought was beneficient to her! I believe Martha did it in good faith.

Did Jesus' words deny the goodness of action, belittling the value of activity? Not at all! Modern translations have misled the readers! The original is "Mary hath chosen that good part τὴν ἀγαθὴν" not "the better part". Contemplation is appropriate for Mary just as action is for Martha. Martha's action is her prayer, a different expression of contemplation. "It will not be taken from her" as well!
Lord Jesus, let us contemplate in freedom in the most appropriate manner the glory of Your countenance. Amen.