HERE BEGINNETH THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER
How Almighty God will goodly answer for all those that for the
excusing of themselves list not leave their business about the love of
Him.
AND therefore me thinketh, that they that set them to be contemplatives should
not only have active men excused of their complaining words, but also me
thinketh that they should be so occupied in spirit that they should take little
heed or none what men did or said about them. Thus did Mary, our example of
all, when Martha her sister complained to our Lord: and if we will truly do
thus our Lord will do now for us as He did then for Mary.
And how was that? Surely thus. Our
lovely Lord Jesus Christ, unto whom no privy thing is hid, although He was
required of Martha as doomsman for to bid Mary rise and help her to serve Him;
nevertheless yet, for He perceived that Mary was fervently occupied in spirit
about the love of His Godhead, therefore courteously and as it was seemly for
Him to do by the way of reason, He answered for her, that for the excusing of
herself list not leave the love of Him. And how answered He? Surely not only as
doomsman, as He was of Martha appealed: but as an advocate lawfully defended
her that Him loved, and said, "Martha, Martha!" Twice for speed He named her
name; for He would that she heard Him and took heed to His words. "Thou art
full busy," He said, "and troubled about many things." For they that be actives
behove always to be busied and travailed about many diverse things, the which
them falleth, first for to have to their own use, and sithen in
deeds of mercy to their even-christian, as charity asketh. And this He said
unto Martha, for He would let her wit that her business was good and profitable
to the health of her soul. But for this, that she should not think that it were
the best work of all that man might do, therefore He added and said: `But one
thing is necessary.'
And what is that one thing? Surely that God be
loved and praised by Himself, above all other business bodily or ghostly that
man may do. And for this, that Martha should not think that she might both love
God and praise Him above all other business bodily or ghostly, and also thereto
to be busy about the necessaries of this life: therefore to deliver her of
doubt that she might not both serve God in bodily business and ghostly together
perfectly---imperfectly she may, but not perfectly--He added and said, that
Mary had chosen the best part; the which should never be taken from
her. For why, that perfect stirring of love that beginneth here is even in
number with that that shall last without end in the bliss of heaven, for all it
is but one.