The Graces of St. Martha

Following is another excerpt from a work by the monk Rabanus Maurus that tells of the lives of Sts. Martha, Mary Magdalene, and Lazarus:

"Bethany, so often named among the evangelists, was the villa of Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, and Martha.  It was situated near Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives, fifteen stadia from the holy city, facing the east.  It was a most noble meeting place for those who belonged to our Lord and Savior.  It was dedicated to its guests, celebrated for its hospitality, famous for miracles, memorable for tears, distinguished for a procession, marked by its footsteps, and admirable in its ascent.  The venerable hostess and most devoted attendant of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, the very beautiful Martha, was born of this city.  Her mother was the most noble Eucharia, who came from a royal Israelite family.  Her father was the Syrian Theophilus, who was not only illustrious of race, but also of the most famous nobility.  Indeed, he held the first rank among the satraps of the province, and was the worthy leader and prince of all Syria and its maritime region.  But afterwards he became a disciple of Christ and left behind the signs of his authority, and humbly followed the footsteps of Christ.  Mary, the sister of the blessed Martha, shone with her beauty.  Their brother, Lazarus, was of an egregious nature and lively youth.  Their abilities together with their good works thrived among the three.  They were taught in their childhood and were filled with the knowledge of the Hebrew language.  Besides this, they seemed to match each other in beauty of appearance, manners, and grace.

"As I have said already, they were of noble heritage and of respectable family.  They possessed a very large inheritance that consisted of manors, money, and also servants.  They owned a great part of the city of Jerusalem as well as three manors: Bethany of Judea, two thousand paces from Jerusalem; Magdala in Galilee, situated on the left bank of the Sea of Geneseret, in the hollow of a mountain, two thousand paces from Tiberius; and Bethany across the Jordan, also in Galilee, where John baptized.  They lived together in all these places and abounded in nice things.  Martha's brother and sister wished for her, as the first-born, to have most of the property and the greatest of the manors.  She was not accustomed to waste her property.  She was feminine in her heart, manly in her bearing, and generous in her soul.  She was manly in that she had no husband, and was renowned for the glory of her continence.  She was sweet and kind to the members of her family; humble and friendly to the poor; and merciful and generous to all.  And, as I shall say briefly, she was a woman to be respected and honored by all because she was of noble heritage and talented in many ways.  She was celebrated for her beauty and her glorious modesty.  She was bountiful in her hospitality, and gracious to all.  This was Martha."