HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER
The true exposition of this gospel word, "Mary hath chosen the
best part."
WHAT meaneth this; Mary hath chosen the best? Wheresoever the best is set or
named, it asketh before it these two things--a good, and a better; so that it
be the best, and the third in number. But which be these three good things, of
the which Mary chose the best? Three lives be they not, for Holy Church maketh
remembrance but of two, active life and contemplative life; the which two lives
be privily understood in the story of this gospel by these two sisters Martha
and Mary--by Martha active, by Mary contemplative. Without one of these two
lives may no man be safe, and where no more be but two, may no man
choose the best.
But although there be but two lives,
nevertheless yet in these two lives be three parts, each one better than other.
The which three, each one by itself, be specially set in their places before in
this writing. For as it is said before, the first part standeth in good and
honest bodily works of mercy and of charity; and this is the first degree of
active life, as it is said before. The second part of these two lives lieth in
good ghostly meditations of a man's own wretchedness, the Passion of Christ,
and of the joys of heaven. The first part is good, and this part is the better;
for this is the second degree of active life and the first of contemplative
life. In this part is contemplative life and active life coupled together in
ghostly kinship, and made sisters at the ensample of Martha and Mary. Thus high
may an active come to contemplation; and no higher, but if it be full seldom
and by a special grace. Thus low may a contemplative come towards
active life; and no lower, but if it be full seldom and in great need.
The third part of these two lives hangeth in this
dark cloud of unknowing, with many a privy love pressed to God by Himself. The
first part is good, the second is better, but the third is best of all. This is
the "best part" of Mary. And therefore it is plainly to wit, that our Lord said
not, Mary hath chosen the best life; for there be no more lives but two,
and of two may no man choose the best. But of these two lives Mary hath chosen,
He said, the best part; the which shall never be taken from her. The
first part and the second, although they be both good and holy, yet they end
with this life. For in the tother life shall be no need as now to use the works
of mercy, nor to weep for our wretchedness, nor for the Passion of Christ. For
then shall none be able to hunger nor thirst as now, nor die for
cold, nor be sick, nor houseless, nor in prison; nor yet need burial, for then
shall none be able to die. But the third part that Mary chose, choose who by
grace is called to choose: or, if I soothlier shall say, whoso is chosen
thereto of God. Let him lustily incline thereto, for that shall never be taken
away: for if it begin here, it shall last without end.
And therefore let the voice of our Lord cry on
these actives, as if He said thus now for us unto them, as He did then for Mary
to Martha, "Martha, Martha!"--"Actives, actives! make you as busy as ye can in
the first part and in the second, now in the one and now in the tother: and, if
you list right well and feel you disposed, in both two bodily. And meddle you
not of contemplatives. Ye wot not what them aileth: let them sit in their rest
and in their play, with the third and the best part of Mary."