A recent computer glitch reminded me of one of my favorite poems, Kipling’s this Martha’s sons. I’m told this is sometimes an anthem for engineers; perhaps it should be more widespread.
This poem quotes a passage from Luke 10:38-42. (As it turns out, this passage follows the story of the Good Samaritan, which was prompted by the lawyer’s questions—but that’s where any legal connection ends.) In fact, I’d say it’s a reference to this passage. Word of criticism, it runs:
[38] … [Jesus] When he entered a village, a woman named Martha took him to her home.
[39] She had a sister named Mary who also sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words.
[40] But Martha, who had too many things to serve, came to him and said, Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to serve? So I asked her to help me.
[41] Jesus answered and said unto him, Martha, Martha, be careful. [i.e., full of cares] And worry about many things:
[42] But one thing is necessary: Mary has chosen that wonderful part, and it will not be taken away from her.
This is Kipling’s poem; my favorite part is the first two lines of each stanza (except the last), but of course you have to read the whole thing:
The sons of Mary have little trouble because they inherit the good part.
But Martha’s sons preferred their mother with her attentive soul and troubled heart.
Because she had lost her temper, and because she was rude to her guests and hosts,
Her sons must wait for Mary’s sons, and the world never ends, reprieves, or rests.Eating buffets and buffering shocks have been their concerns throughout the ages.
They are responsible for the meshing of the gears; they are responsible for the locking of the switch.
It is their care that makes the wheels really turn; their care is boarding and carrying,
Tallying, transporting and timely delivery of Mary’s Sons by road and mainline.
They said to the mountain, “Move away.” They say “stay dry” to minor floods.
Under their rods are rocks of reproach—they are not afraid of heights.
Then the mountain tops will shake to their summits – then the bed of the abyss will be exposed,
May the Children of Mary be able to overcome it as they sleep blissfully unaware.They pointed the ends of their gloves at the Grim Reaper, where they continued to piece together living wires.
He stood against the gate which they guarded: behind the fire they left him to starve.
At dawn, before anyone could see clearly, they stumbled into his terrible stable,
Drag him out like a young bull on a bridle, goad and turn him until dusk.These people are forbidden to believe from birth; from this until death is a distant relief.
They are concerned with hidden things – their altars are beneath the ground –
The secret fountain follows and the water is withdrawn back into the mouth,
Gather the floods in a cup and pour them out when the city is in drought.They did not preach that their God would wake them up a little before the nuts came loose.
They did not preach that God’s mercy allowed them to give up their jobs if they chose.
Just as in the crowded and lighted roads, so they stand in the darkness and desert,
They kept alert and watchful all day long, so that the way of their brethren might endure in the land.Lift rocks or split wood to make the path smoother.
Behold, the blood shed by Martha’s son for this has turned black!
Not as a ladder from earth to heaven, not as a witness to any creed,
But simple services are provided simply to satisfy the common needs of their own kind.The Sons of Mary smiled and were blessed—they knew the angels were on their side.
They know that in them there is the grace of repentance, and for them mercy is multiplied.
They sat at the feet—they heard the Word of God—they saw how the promises really worked.
They cast their burden on the Lord, and the Lord cast it on Martha’s sons!
We sons of Mary—including in the secular sense, as those employed to give opinions, teach law, and deliberate—do smile and are blessed; mercy does multiply for us. But it’s worth remembering how much of this came from the burdens Martha’s children bore.
