Vigil Reflection for the Feast of St. Scholastica

by Sister Marcia Ziska
Lk 10:38-42

On this eve of our patronal feast of St. Scholastica, we have just heard the Martha and Mary story, a gospel that is very familiar to each of us. So, what can I say? Many interpreters of this gospel portray Mary signifying the contemplative dimension and Martha the active dimension. However, three weeks ago, during the Souljourners weekend, Glenn Young, our presenter, in exploring the spirituality of the Mystics, shared Meister Eckhart’s Sermon #86. This sermon entails a radical interpretation of this gospel passage. Eckhart provides an alternative model as “an ‘inner-worldly’ mysticism in which contemplation and action are one.”

According to Glenn, Eckhart’s interpretation is that Martha has already embodied both active and contemplative dimensions. St. Luke portrays her preparing an elaborate meal for the beloved guest. Martha is frustrated that the meal preparation is solely on her shoulders. She is also concerned that Mary is so content in listening at the feet of Jesus that she will remain there. Thus, she pleads with Jesus for help. Jesus calling Martha’s name twice expresses the elder sister’s spiritual completeness. Eckhart sees Martha as the exemplar of the truly grounded soul, having integrated both dimensions. Jesus is reassuring Martha that her sister will, in time, grow into the true meaning of discipleship, first listening and then sharing the good news with others. 

For Eckhart, a life of contemplation is not only entirely compatible with the hustle and bustle of ordinary daily life; in fact, they mutually nourish one another. The highest contemplation is expressed in active engagement with daily life and work. 

Having said this, I see some parallels between St. Scholastica, Martha and Mary. All three women loved God.  They are disciples, sharing the good news with others. Mary and Martha desired to spend time physically with Jesus and “Scholastica prayed to the Lord” as we sang in the first antiphon,

“and great was her love! She won her favor from God.”

While little is known of St. Scholastica, our antiphons for this feast remind us of the great love she had for God. Mary and Martha’s love followed Jesus to his crucifixion. All three women took the time for holy conversations with loved ones. Love causes us to listen and to learn. The fourth antiphon reminds us “that her tears had power”, too! According to St. Gregory, when Scholastica pleaded with her brother for additional time for holy conversation, she perhaps knew that her spiritual journey was nearing completion. Due to her fervent prayer, her brother was unable to return to his abbey resulting in longer time of being together. 

So, what about us? I believe this feast invites us to continued fidelity in our monastic way of life. This gospel passage bids us to ponder God’s word which perhaps may deepen our personal relationship with Christ. God’s love for each one of us encourages us to be generous in serving others and to take time for meaningful conversations. These are practices that we frequently engage in . . . may we keep on keeping on . . . uniting our contemplation and action as one.