medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
It is a commonplace in Christian preaching and spiritual
writings: Mary (the sister of Martha, usually identified with Mary
Magdalene, not the mother of Jesus) is seen as a type of the
contemplative life, Martha of the active life. You will find the
contrast made often in rules for religious communities, sermons to
nuns, devotional tracts, all kinds of Christian writings.
And dear old Peter Abelard in a peevish moment in the "Carmen ad
Astralabium" (lines 805-6 Rubingh-Bosscher edition) says
Cum minus accipiat lucri, plus Marta laborat,
ut merito soror hanc torqueat invidia.
Which my translator says means:
"Although she receives less profit, still Martha labours more
so that her sister [Mary] may understandably plague her from ill-will."
Which I understand to be a jibe at the rivalry between the Benedictines and
the Cistercians but I am not quite sure how it works out in detail.
Any suggestions ?
Brenda M C.
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|