ACC ~ John 11 v20

MARY AS ALLEGORY OF THE SOUL’S QUIET RECEPTIVITY

ORIGEN Since Mary is a type of the contemplative life, Martha of the active, Lazarus of him who has fallen into sins after believing, naturally Mary and Martha mourn for Lazarus, and in mourning they need the comfort concerning their brother which the Jews wish to bring them. But before the fullness of time, words despair of being able to make the sister of the dead cease from weeping over him.

Martha seems more eager than Mary, since Martha first ran to Jesus, while Mary remained sitting in the house. … Therefore Martha, who was somewhat inferior in this regard, ran to Jesus while Mary remains in the house to receive him as one who was able to bear his presence. And she would not have gone out from her house if she had not heard her sister say, “The teacher has arrived and is calling you.” And she did not simply get up but did so quickly, and falling at Jesus’ feet said what she said. The other sister had not fallen at his feet. FRAGMENT 80 ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. [1]

[1] AEG 4:168-69*; GCS 10(4):547-48.

MARTHA WANTS TO SPEAK TO CHRIST ALONE

CHRYSOSTOM Martha does not take her sister with her because she wants to speak with Christ alone and tell him what has happened. When her hopes had been raised by him, then she went her way and called Mary. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:229**.