Mary of Bethany was a follower of Jesus and the sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany. The Gospel of Luke tells a story of Martha welcoming Jesus into her home (Luke 10:38-42). While Martha distracted herself with work, Mary sat and listened to Jesus’s teachings. When Martha complained that Mary was not helping with a meal, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” In later times, Martha became the symbol of the active life and Mary became the symbol of the thoughtful life. The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus raising Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus from the dead. Then, while Martha served Jesus dinner, Mary anointed his feet with oil (John 11-12).
